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MEDIA RELEASE
5
August 2009
The high cost of inappropriate use of CT scans
Overuse of computerised tomography (CT) scans is placing patients at unnecessary risk of
cancer, writes Associate Professor Graham Simpson, Director of Thoracic Medicine at Cairns
Base Hospital, in the latest edition of Australian Prescriber.
Professor Simpson says there needs to be greater understanding of the indications for CT
scanning of the chest.
“There is evidence that the investigation is inappropriately used, causing unnecessary expense
and risking adverse events,” Professor Simpson writes.
“Since its development, CT scanning has revolutionised medical imaging, paving the way for
techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography. It is,
however, a relatively expensive investigation, costing almost ten times as much as a chest
x-ray.”
He also suggests health professionals underestimate the risk of malignant disease due to
radiation exposure.
“In Australia CT scans probably account for 65% of the population's exposure to medical
radiation. Increased radiation is associated with an increased risk of cancer, so CT scans
should be used sparingly.”
Professor Simpson says it is important that CT scans are not ordered when only a chest x-ray is
needed.
“Clearly, chest CT scans need to be ordered with a careful analysis of the risk-benefit ratio,” he
concludes.
To read the full article, which includes guidelines for ordering thoracic CT scans, visit
Media enquiries to Katie Butt, NPS Media Adviser, 0419 618 365 or kbutt@nps.org.au
Australian Prescriber is an independent peer-reviewed journal providing critical commentary on therapeutic topics for health
professionals, particularly doctors in general practice. It is published by the National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS), an
independent, non-profit organisation for Quality Use of Medicines funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and
Ageing. Australian Prescriber is distributed every two months in hard copy to health professionals, free of charge, and online in full
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