A study undertaken by US researchers has revealed that about 50% of patients who receive abdominal/pelvic CT scans end up getting additional imaging tests, which are not only completely unnecessary, but also expose them to extra, un-required radiation.

For the sake of study, as many as 978 abdominal and pelvic CT scans were performed on 500 patients, ranging from the ages of 9 to 91 years, with most of the subjects between 30 to 50 years of age. After successful completion of the study and analysis of data, researchers concluded that about 35.3% of the CT scans in 52.2% of the patients were completely un-required, as per the criteria set by the American College of Radiology Appropriateness.

"It is the responsibility of all physicians who work with ionizing radiation to ensure that the dosage is as low as reasonably achievable without compromising the patient's well being. Our study found that this principle is not being followed in many practices", shared Dr. Kristie Guite, a Radiology Resident at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

As per the study, results of which were presented at the annual Radiology Society of North America meeting in Chicago, on November 30, "delayed-phase imaging" emerged as the most common unnecessary CT scan, and accounts for 77.7% of the 345 unnecessary exam series.

Researchers were quick to assert that based on the results of the study alone, patients should not be worried when their doctors advise a CT exam, or try to avoid it.