Sinus CT scan safe?

[Chris Wong]

Hi,

I am a 29 year old male. I recently had a sinus CT scan performed. I received 32 images on 4 sheets of film. I was told that I received 8.9mGy of radiation. I am concerned about the radiation dosage that I received.

I am worried about my chances of getting cataracts or eye problems - whether at that instant of exposure or later in life. I already have pretty bad nearsightedness. I had 12 images on the CT scan which showed my eyes if that makes a difference.

Also, would the cancer risk be something to worry about.

I hope some expert or imaging specialist would kindly shed light on this matter for me.

Thanks,
Chris

[half]

nothing to worry about it.it is a very small dosage of radiation.

[LISA K]

I recently had a sinus CT scan and as soon as the machine started running I experienced the WORST smell I think I've ever smelled. After I flipped over onto my back, they started the machine again and it happened a second time. This is curious because I have NO sense of smell! I asked the technicians if they'd ever heard of such a thing and one said yes, the other said no. Is this as odd as it seems???

[Henrique Ramos]

Persons with normal sense of smell can present smell alterations under radiotherapy treatments. These treatments deliver a very high radiation dose. On the contrary, a sinus CT scan delivers a very low radiation dose. I can only guess that your olfactive damaged organ are abnormally sensitive to the X-rays.

[Radman]

befor goin through the exam you should know the risk and is it a must, then check the generation of the device is it a multislice (a new tech) which will give you the benefit of lower dose, in your case its nothing to worry.

[Malestrom]

I have had over 8 ct scans of my sinuses and experience the odd odor everytime.
The nurses are clueless and noone has even heard of it lol!
I am going to Temple Hospital and Hanamen Hospital in Philadelphia PA
They are leading the world with cutting edge technology but there hasnt been an answer for me yet
Hmm... Id love to know what it is
I have no sense of smell or taste but this odor is quite noticeable.
Are my brins cooking? J/K

[Smith]

Dear Chris,
I am Smitha here, I am a technologist.
First of all I appreciate you that you are caring your body which is most important for a human being.
The CT that you had, is really an important diagnosis for your disease which is not avoidable. No need to get worried in this matter, and I think they have given you the protective apparel for your genital area. This 8.9m Gy is not a high amount of radiation for your eyes, and your position during the CT was prone I think. So the amount of the radiation to the eyes will get raduced.
So do not worry for this simple issue.

[GANTRY GIRL]

AND ABOUT THE SMELL.. IT WAS PROBABLY THE MACHINE BURNING OIL. MACHINES SOMETIMES SMELL.LOL.

[Sachin]

Smith wrote:

This 8.9m Gy is not a high amount of radiation for your eyes, and your position during the CT was prone I think. So the amount of the radiation to the eyes will get raduced.

Hi can you explain, how the radiation to the eye will be less due to a prone position please?

[leslie]

Hi,
I've had 3 CT scans in an 18 month period for chronic sinus infections. I've heard that these CT scans emit upwards of 500x the radiation the typical X-ray emits??? How scary! Why, Oh Why, would drs recommend that for patients?
Please tell me this isn't so with a sinus scan... is it really less radiation than they say? 1 out of 50 cancers is connected to high levels of radiation.

My brain, my eyes....OUCH! OH MY GOD!

[dave cross]

You will probably die.

Chris Wong wrote:

Hi,
I am a 29 year old male. I recently had a sinus CT scan performed. I received 32 images on 4 sheets of film. I was told that I received 8.9mGy of radiation. I am concerned about the radiation dosage that I received.
I am worried about my chances of getting cataracts or eye problems - whether at that instant of exposure or later in life. I already have pretty bad nearsightedness. I had 12 images on the CT scan which showed my eyes if that makes a difference.
Also, would the cancer risk be something to worry about.
I hope some expert or imaging specialist would kindly shed light on this matter for me.
Thanks,
Chris

[donna]

LISA K wrote:

I recently had a sinus CT scan and as soon as the machine started running I experienced the WORST smell I think I've ever smelled. After I flipped over onto my back, they started the machine again and it happened a second time. This is curious because I have NO sense of smell! I asked the technicians if they'd ever heard of such a thing and one said yes, the other said no. Is this as odd as it seems???

I too had a CAT scan and smelled the odor.......THere has to be someone knowledgeable abt this.........I am very curious....any doctors know about this smell and what it is?

[Ratan]

I recently had a ct scan of the head and neck and I was exposed to a CTDI volume of 93. Is this safe?

[Mike]

You are just fine

Ratan wrote:

I recently had a ct scan of the head and neck and I was exposed to a CTDI volume of 93. Is this safe?

[Mike]

This is really tiny tiny radiation. No concern at all.

Chris Wong wrote:

Hi,
I am a 29 year old male. I recently had a sinus CT scan performed. I received 32 images on 4 sheets of film. I was told that I received 8.9mGy of radiation. I am concerned about the radiation dosage that I received.
I am worried about my chances of getting cataracts or eye problems - whether at that instant of exposure or later in life. I already have pretty bad nearsightedness. I had 12 images on the CT scan which showed my eyes if that makes a difference.
Also, would the cancer risk be something to worry about.
I hope some expert or imaging specialist would kindly shed light on this matter for me.
Thanks,
Chris

[Hope]

I just had a CT scan today, during the radiation I smelled a smell much like chlorine. I asked the technician after the fact and he mentioned he had never heard of that before and to mention it to the nurse. Well, it turned out that I had a mild concussion and the nurse had no idea about the smell either... Who knows maybe we have some kind of sixth sense.

[CAT_MAN_DO]

Had a sinus CAT Scan today and noticed a funny smell during both phases of it. Came home and googled "funny smell during cat scan" only to find multiple threads on the subject... no answers on exactly what part of us is cooking though....

[Brig]

I took an eldery friend for a sinus CT. She was very nervous, I was told to stay with her while she was having the scan. I asked the tect if it was safe , she replied , It is safe. I did not know the differance between a CT scan & a MRI until 2 weeks ago when I had to take her for another CT scan at a different location. My dear old friend was scared ,the tect made her comfortable & told me to step out side, I then began to wonder about her first test, I asked the tect , He told me it could not have been a CT scan , as I could not have been in the room with her , he said it must have been a MRI. I was oloking through her medical bills & yes It was a CAT SCAN, This was at a NEW YORK HOSPITAL. I am so scared.Her Doctor could not believe this was done to me. He said this is very dangerous. Please tell me how dangerous was it.Thank you

[Mary]

My 26 month old son had a CT done should i worry... His results came back fine but he was exposed to rediation at such a young age.? he had to 2 images done... iand i can admit i'm worried?!

[Dinah]

LISA K wrote:

I recently had a sinus CT scan and as soon as the machine started running I experienced the WORST smell I think I've ever smelled. After I flipped over onto my back, they started the machine again and it happened a second time. This is curious because I have NO sense of smell! I asked the technicians if they'd ever heard of such a thing and one said yes, the other said no. Is this as odd as it seems???

YES!!!!!!!!!!OMG I ALWAY SMELL IT ... i have hade about 25 C T scans done and i started to smell this this ... i dont know what. about my 4th time around......noone ever can tell me what it is or that they smell it too...but even when i hold my breath and dont breath in i still smell it .. hopefuly you can help me find out what it is ......