CT radiation causes implanted devices to malfunction
The FDA cautioned healthcare CT users July 16 that ionized radiation generated during CT exams may cause some implanted and external electronic medical devices to malfunction.
The FDA cautioned healthcare CT users July 16 that ionized radiation generated during CT exams may cause some implanted and external electronic medical devices to malfunction. Though rare, the incidence of radiation-induced pacemaker and implantable device malfunction has risen with increased multislice CT use, said Dr. Daniel G. Schultz, director of the FDA Center for Devices and Radiological Health. Patients implanted with pacemakers, defibrillators, neurostimulators, and implanted or externally worn drug infusion pumps are at risk. The FDA recommended CT scout views to determine the presence of an implanted or externally worn electronic medical device. The location of the device relative to the programmed scan range should be noted.
The agency recommended the following precautions for patients with the devices:
- Determine the device type.
- Attempt to move external devices out of the scan range, if possible.
- Ask patients turn off neurostimulators during CT scanning.
- Minimize radiation exposure by using the lowest possible tube current.
- Make sure the x-ray beam does not dwell over the device for more than a few seconds.
Attending staff should be prepared for emergency measures when CT perfusion or other procedures require more than a few seconds of scanning over the device, Schultz said.
For more information from the Diagnostic Imaging archives:
Pacemaker may skip a beat during routine scan
Can Photon-Counting CT be an Alternative to MRI for Assessing Liver Fat Fraction?
March 21st 2025Photon-counting CT fat fraction evaluation offered a maximum sensitivity of 81 percent for detecting steatosis and had a 91 percent ICC agreement with MRI proton density fat fraction assessment, according to new prospective research.
The Reading Room Podcast: Current Perspectives on the Updated Appropriate Use Criteria for Brain PET
March 18th 2025In a new podcast, Satoshi Minoshima, M.D., Ph.D., and James Williams, Ph.D., share their insights on the recently updated appropriate use criteria for amyloid PET and tau PET in patients with mild cognitive impairment.
Strategies to Reduce Disparities in Interventional Radiology Care
March 19th 2025In order to help address the geographic, racial, and socioeconomic barriers that limit patient access to interventional radiology (IR) care, these authors recommend a variety of measures ranging from increased patient and physician awareness of IR to mobile IR clinics and improved understanding of social determinants of health.
AI-Initiated Recalls After Screening Mammography Demonstrate Higher PPV for Breast Cancer
March 18th 2025While recalls initiated by one of two reviewing radiologists after screening mammography were nearly 10 percent higher than recalls initiated by an AI software, the AI-initiated recalls had an 85 percent higher positive predictive value for breast cancer, according to a new study.
