Radiation Exposure to Embryos/Fetuses from PET/CT Scans in Pregnant Women

What is it about?

Nuclear medicine imaging, specifically F-18 fludeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT, is crucial for cancer diagnosis and monitoring but poses a risk of ionizing radiation to the embryo/fetus in pregnant women. Studies have shown that 18 F-FDG can cross the placental barrier, leading to fetal tissue irradiation. Methods such as the Medical Internal Radiation Dose (MIRD) and Monte Carlo simulations (MCS) help calculate fetal doses retrospectively. Research indicates that a fetal dose of around 10 mGy may increase the risk of various developmental disorders. In this study, involving 15 pregnant women, the mean fetal dose from F-18 FDG was found to be 7.2 ± 2.8 mGy, with the CT component contributing an additional mean dose of 12.14 ± 2.05 mGy. The combined dose from PET/CT was below 15 mGy, but it remains crucial to assess pregnancy status before such procedures to avoid unnecessary radiation exposure.

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Photo by Xavier Mouton Photographie on Unsplash

Photo by Xavier Mouton Photographie on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This research is critical because it addresses the potential risks of ionizing radiation exposure to embryos/fetuses during PET/CT scans in pregnant women. Understanding and calculating the fetal absorbed dose is vital for assessing the safety and managing the associated risks of prenatal radiation exposure, which can lead to severe fetal disorders and long-term health issues. Key Takeaways: • The study aimed to calculate the embryo/fetal doses in pregnant women undergoing F-18 FDG PET/CT scans, revealing that the mean embryo/fetal dose from F-18 FDG was 7.2 ± 2.8 mGy, and the CT component dose ranged from 8.5 to 16 mGy, with a mean of 12.14 ± 2.05 mGy. • The research highlights the importance of questioning women of childbearing age before scintigraphy to avoid accidental radiation exposure and reduce stochastic risks to the fetus. • The study used advanced methods like the OLINDA/EXM package and FetDose V4 software for accurate internal radiation dosimetry, contributing to improved safety protocols and risk assessment in nuclear medicine imaging for pregnant patients.