Nuclear imaging of a pregnant patient: should we perform nuclear medicine procedures during pregnancy?

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doi:10.4274/mirt.123

Abstract

Although it is extremely rare, nuclear imaging of a pregnant woman presents a unique challenge to the nuclear medicine physician because of the high concern for radiation risk to the embryo or the fetus. This challenge has been exacerbated due to recent heightened public concern of medical procedures involving radiation. This awareness also has been emphasized to the referring physicians to the extent that the risks of most nuclear medicine scans are overstressed relative to the benefit. Radionuclide procedures are reluctantly ordered by clinicians in pregnant patients, because of the malpractice fear or because of uncertainty regarding fetal radiation dose. However, when used appropriately, the benefits of nuclear imaging procedures usually outweigh the minimal risks associated with small amount of radiation even in pregnant patients.Conflict of interest:None declared.

Highlights

Radiation exposure to patients from imaging studies has been an important issue
Growing public awareness of the potential hazard of radiation has led to involvement of several organizations and the establishment of radiological protection standards, legislation, guidelines, and programs
Pregnant women present a difficult challenge because of the need to balance the benefit of the imaging study to the mother with the risk from the radiation exposure to the unborn embryo or fetus

Summary

Introduction

Radiation exposure to patients from imaging studies has been an important issue. Modern nuclear medicine imaging procedures offer significant information about disease and are often critical components of patient management. Pregnant women present a difficult challenge because of the need to balance the benefit of the imaging study to the mother with the risk from the radiation exposure to the unborn embryo or fetus. This Review Article is Written in Order to A. B. Relate fetal radiation doses from selected nuclear medicine procedures to the established fetal exposure limits. C. Describe actions and precautions that could reduce radiation exposure to the unborn child

Bural et al Nuclear Imaging of a Pregnant Patient

Findings

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