Doctors Often Order Unnecessary CT Scans: Consumer Reports

A new study suggests that many doctors order CT scans that are unnecessary, exposing patients to high levels of potentially cancer-causing radiation.

According to research published by Consumer Reports, computerized tomography (CT) scans are recommended by many doctors, even though they may not help diagnose the underlying problem or they order “double scans,” which subject patients to the radiation twice.

CT scans provide useful images of bones, muscles and blood vessels. However, CT scans also expose patients to 100 to 500 times more radiation than other types of x-ray imaging.

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The report found that CT scans are often overused and conducted at higher doses than are necessary. The use of CT scans have tripled since 1993, with approximately 85 million conducted every year.

The new report was based on hospitals which reported the number of double chest and abdominal scans reported to the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

More than 20% of hospitals earned the lowest rating for performing double CT scans. These facilities performed double scans on more than 20% of patients needing abdominal CT scans.

Seven percent of hospitals earned the lowest Consumer Reports rating for having the highest rates of performing double CT scans. However, nearly 30% of hospitals had conducted double scans on five percent or less of their patients.

A double CT scan is when one CT scan is conducted, then a second scan is performed using contrast dye. This may allow certain areas to become more visible. Doctors often perform double scans in an attempt to cover all possible scenarios to determine the correct diagnosis.

According to Consumer Reports, double scans are typically unnecessary and are only needed in less than one percent of patients. Double scans of the abdomen are needed more frequently to define abnormalities in the liver, kidneys and pancreas.

This double exposure to the radiation from CT scans exposes patients to unnecessary cancer-causing radiation, Consumer Reports warns.

CT Scan Safety Concerns

CT scan overuse has come to the forefront of medical controversy over the last decade as other research has emerged revealing doctors often use doses much higher than necessary.

A study published in New England Journal of Medicine in 2010 questioned the safety of CT scans, pointing out there is no professional or governmental organization that monitors CT scan dose information. Additionally, researchers found that most doctors know very little about the doses of radiation or cancer risks from the imaging.

Another study found typical doses of radiation used for routine abdomen and pelvic CT scans were 66% higher than necessary. CT scan machines are set at a standard radiation dose level, that level must be adjusted depending on the size of the patient.

Another study published just last year found the use of CT scans doubled for children under five and tripled for children between the ages of 5 and 14 between 1996 and 2005. Children are also receiving too many scans overall, exposing them to high levels of radiation and increasing their risk of cancer.

Experts say that children are especially at risk of unnecessary radiation, considering they are much smaller, more sensitive to radiation and may often be exposed to adult sized radiation doses.

If a doctor orders a CT scan, experts recommend asking why it may be needed and if the results will affect the course of treatment the doctor will recommend. If not, the scan may be avoided for other tests which may expose patients to less radiation. Experts also recommend questioning a doctor if they plan to use a double scan and declining if it isn’t necessary.

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6 Comments

  • AdamAugust 8, 2023 at 5:00 pm

    I arrived at the ER with severe abdominal pain. Once placed in a room they asked for any other symptoms, which I did not have. They admitted a influenza test due to this been a common issue at the time. I know that flu tests typically take 15 to 20 minutes to obtain results. I waited over an hour and finally asked for assistance as I was still in pain. The doctor then ordered a CT scan of my abdom[Show More]I arrived at the ER with severe abdominal pain. Once placed in a room they asked for any other symptoms, which I did not have. They admitted a influenza test due to this been a common issue at the time. I know that flu tests typically take 15 to 20 minutes to obtain results. I waited over an hour and finally asked for assistance as I was still in pain. The doctor then ordered a CT scan of my abdomin which I asked if was necessary, to which they said they wanted to rule out appendicitis. I have the CT scan done and about 30 minutes after arriving back they say that the flu test came back positive and that is the reason for the pain. They did not provide the CT results and said I could view them online. I was then discharged. I feel as though the CT scan was unnecessary. I think they may have held onto the flu results and there was no need for the CT scan as they would not even wait to provide my results. I disputed the charge and because the doctor is no longer with the hospital it was reviewed by another doctor who called me at 7am on a Saturday to tell me they are upholding the charge as it was necessary. It's been a year now. I made 1 payment toward the bill but I do not want to pay the CT charge. My insurance applied all to my deductible. It is about to go into collections. Do I have proper grounds to dispute this further? Or do I have to pay the remaining $1,900? Thank you for your time.

  • KatieOctober 26, 2021 at 3:39 pm

    12 yo daughter went to ER with left sided pain. Not menstruating yet. She described her pain and being lower left side near ovary as well as pelvic area. Doctor insisted we do a CT. I asked for an ultrasound first and he only ordered it to check for appendix even though I asked 5 times for him to check her ovary. The ultrasound tech said he’d take a picture of her ovaries because I insisted but it[Show More]12 yo daughter went to ER with left sided pain. Not menstruating yet. She described her pain and being lower left side near ovary as well as pelvic area. Doctor insisted we do a CT. I asked for an ultrasound first and he only ordered it to check for appendix even though I asked 5 times for him to check her ovary. The ultrasound tech said he’d take a picture of her ovaries because I insisted but it wasn’t actually ordered. ER doc came back and said ultrasound couldn’t show appendix so we had to do the CT. I again questioned if it could be her ovary. He said we needed to do the CT because otherwise it could be life threatening so we had it done even though I felt pressured into it and was convinced it was her ovary. Hospital told us before we left everything was negative and clean. We got a call today that she has a medium sized cyst on her left ovary. I’m livid.

  • ROCKYApril 23, 2021 at 8:21 am

    I have been thinking about this for a bit of time know, about a year a half ago I went to the Hospital for a fever and nausea, The doctors sent me down for my first CT and see that I have a bad gull bladder, thinking that was what was willing me thay send me to surgery to remove the gull bladder. After a day or so I'm still having fever and now I have a pain on the side of my body. Finally they fi[Show More]I have been thinking about this for a bit of time know, about a year a half ago I went to the Hospital for a fever and nausea, The doctors sent me down for my first CT and see that I have a bad gull bladder, thinking that was what was willing me thay send me to surgery to remove the gull bladder. After a day or so I'm still having fever and now I have a pain on the side of my body. Finally they find out I have a bacterial infection in my blood called (Typhus). Which was crazy because I don't have a clue how I could have got it. The treatment went well but I still had the pain on the side of my stomach from the surgery I just had for my gull bladder, so I go down for my second CT and they see nothing and prepare me to go home the next day. As I'm at home recovering I'm having the worst pains on my side so I go back to the ER and let them know I'm having to much pain. So I'm know I'm back in the hospital getting ready for my third CT and a back ex ray and anotber ex ray matchine that had me lay at a angel for a hour. this time they see I'm leaking stomach bio into my body, one of the staple or stitching failed and started to leaked bio and stared caused the worst pain. So they set me up for surgery to put in a plastic stent to let the leak to heal. I get sent home after a day or so. Now I'm at home again and all is good till I star having a cramping feeling I deal with it for a day or so till I can't take it and i head back to the Hospital for the third time. Now I'm back under the CT machine again for the fourth time and thay see a lump or fluid ware the stint is at. I'm getting ready to have surgery to get a tube to drain the fluid I'm back under the CT again for the fifth time and thay see nothing the fluid is gone and thay say I have some luck on my side that day. Thay release me and give me a date to come back and get the plastic stent removed. This all happend within one month. I have been feeling not myself lately I get very tired fast to the point of getting sick to my stomach, I lose my appetite for food. I get depressed a lot witch affects me going to work sometimes. Can you please give me some advice on how to go about getting some info on what should I do. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

  • TorMarch 26, 2021 at 12:19 am

    If it makes you feel better i had 4 CT scans in one day while wasted don't even remember it. My stuff works fine but i did experience hair loss.

  • DanJuly 4, 2016 at 2:03 am

    I am really paranoid right now about having 2 abdominal ct scans within a 20 month period. I had them to look for a hernia. I have no hernia and know i have been exposed to all this radiation i hope i dont get cancer. I have also not felt so good a month later after the second one, kind of feeling out of sorts. I am also worried about damage to sex organs, im kinda if having some ED problems, eve[Show More]I am really paranoid right now about having 2 abdominal ct scans within a 20 month period. I had them to look for a hernia. I have no hernia and know i have been exposed to all this radiation i hope i dont get cancer. I have also not felt so good a month later after the second one, kind of feeling out of sorts. I am also worried about damage to sex organs, im kinda if having some ED problems, even though i think they used a shield. Can anyone shine some light on this, i need an opinion on this matter, Thanks Dan

  • ThomasMay 7, 2014 at 7:18 am

    Radiation case In early 2013 hi was having problems with ED I wish send to urologist well I was there the doctor looked at my records and told me that I had cancer course my PSA was up to about 1.5 I wish shocked because my primary care doctor I never noticed it The urologist set me for all the tests that would needed to check for cancer and nothing was found the urologist told me that I should ha[Show More]Radiation case In early 2013 hi was having problems with ED I wish send to urologist well I was there the doctor looked at my records and told me that I had cancer course my PSA was up to about 1.5 I wish shocked because my primary care doctor I never noticed it The urologist set me for all the tests that would needed to check for cancer and nothing was found the urologist told me that I should have radiation in the area of where my prostate was removed 15 years earlier and did not suggest any other treatments ? he told me that I would have to have seeds or markers put into me which was the most excruciating pain I've ever went through. He sent me too Cancer Care Center of Florida I asked the doctor why should I take radiation when no cancer was found in my body he told me its a good preventative measure and shut me up for about 47 treatments he had an old radiation machine which broke down 4or5 times well I was being treated how many more times I don't know after the treatment he said my PSA should go down in about 3 months which is already close to a year and things are getting worse my PS level is up again so I decided to go to another doctor and oncologist that specialize in cancer and he didn't see any need for more radiation and gave pills to lower my testosterone and injections every month to lower my PSA which I was surprised the other doctors didn't try first I am now having lots of trouble with my urine and bladder which I didn't have before I cannot stand up without leaking and urine is burning my private area. I don't know why the original doctors didn't try less invasive methods before they sent me for radiation I'm extremely upset and wonder what other organs they may have damaged with their treatments And would like something done to stop someone else getting hurt for the love of money Thomas

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