A warning has been issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) saying that patients receiving perfusion CT imaging to help diagnose and treat stroke are getting more than the required dose of medication.

The agency discovered that over a period of 18 months, 206 patients at one facility received radiation doses that were about eight times higher than expected levels.

The side effects of such large radiation doses include hair loss and erythema. The agency claims that they have detected a problem area which can lead to broader problems with CT quality assurance programs despite having one specific type of test at the facility.

It was suggested by officials that the problem may be on the checklist of other settings, with patients being subject to unreasonably high doses, but not enough to cause obvious radiation injuries.

The agency notes in its statement that while they believe radiation exposure is an important issue, patients should still follow their doctor’s orders when they have to receive CT scans.

It may also be noted that medically-appropriate CT scan usually has benefits that outweigh potential radiation risks.