Pediatric CT scans lead to higher chance of future cancers

On Tuesday, NBC Nightly News had a story on Pediatric CT Scans. Researchers estimate that out of four millions scans performed each year, more than 4,800 children could develop future cancers as a direct result of this radiation exposure.

Here is the link to the video if you are interested:
http://www.nbcnews.com/video/nightly-news/52162172/#52162172

Bryce has two shunts that could malfunction at any given time. In fact, in his first 6 months of life he had 11 surgeries related to shunt(s) malfunction. One way to see if a shunt malfunction is happening is by seeing what the symptoms are in your child. Sadly though - some of the symptoms he could show could also be signs of many other things: cold, virus, seizure, etc. The symptoms include: irritability, vomiting, sleepiness, headaches, personality changes. The other way (the fastest and most reliable way) is by doing a CT Scan of his brain to see if pressure is building, if his ventricles are enlarged or no longer stable. Many doctors go to a CT scan because in minutes you have that information. The other option would be an MRI, however for a four year old to lay still long enough for an MRI would be nearly impossible. So most times Bryce has to be put under local anesthesia in order to complete an MRI. The MRI also takes much longer to complete than the CT scan.

Bryce has literally had hundreds of CT scans in his four years of life. I would probably be shocked by the actual number of scans that he has been through. Of course we have always known or been cautioned by exposure to radiation but when we have been in an emergency situation - I am the first to ask when he will have his CT scan done.

Hopefully in the future there will be another way of getting the information you need, the pictures of the brain in another way. Sometimes though, when you are in that moment, a CT scan is the only option you have. We have been there numerous times and I am sure will be there many times more. The results of the study are very concerning but sometimes there just isn't a choice.