Health and safety in the medical use of ionising and non-ionising radiation technologies
ULTRASOUND
Risks
Since ultrasound scans do not require exposure to radiation, there are no known risks associated with them.
Side effects
Ultrasound scans, both external and internal, have no side effects.
Limitations
Since sound does not move well through air or bone, ultrasound cannot be used to image body parts that contain gas or
are obscured by bone, such as the lungs or the ears.
Measures taken to protect patients
Ultrasound is very safe, but if the scanning takes longer than half an hour, the patients are given a break to allow the
cells to cool down until the ultrasound is repeated.
Measures taken to protect operators
Ultrasounds are extremely secure, and the operators are unaffected by them.
MRI (MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING)
Risks
Since MRI scans do not require exposure to radiation, there are no known risks associated with them.
Side effects
An MRI scan has no reported negative effects. Patients with claustrophobia or anxiety can be given sedative
medication to help them relax during the procedure.
Limitations
Since MRI can't always tell the difference between malignant tumours and benign disease (like breast fibroadenomas),
false positive findings are possible. While MRI is not painful, it does require the patient to stay still in a confined
space, which can be difficult for claustrophobic patients.
Measures taken to protect patients
Patients are advised to wear earplugs or headphones during the scanning planning process to protect their hearing
because MRIs emit loud noise, which can be alarming to patients.
Measures taken to protect operators
Since MRI uses powerful magnets, both the patient and the operator must remove all jewellery, earrings, watches,
mobile phones, and clothing with metal threads.
X-RAYS
ULTRASOUND
Risks
Since ultrasound scans do not require exposure to radiation, there are no known risks associated with them.
Side effects
Ultrasound scans, both external and internal, have no side effects.
Limitations
Since sound does not move well through air or bone, ultrasound cannot be used to image body parts that contain gas or
are obscured by bone, such as the lungs or the ears.
Measures taken to protect patients
Ultrasound is very safe, but if the scanning takes longer than half an hour, the patients are given a break to allow the
cells to cool down until the ultrasound is repeated.
Measures taken to protect operators
Ultrasounds are extremely secure, and the operators are unaffected by them.
MRI (MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING)
Risks
Since MRI scans do not require exposure to radiation, there are no known risks associated with them.
Side effects
An MRI scan has no reported negative effects. Patients with claustrophobia or anxiety can be given sedative
medication to help them relax during the procedure.
Limitations
Since MRI can't always tell the difference between malignant tumours and benign disease (like breast fibroadenomas),
false positive findings are possible. While MRI is not painful, it does require the patient to stay still in a confined
space, which can be difficult for claustrophobic patients.
Measures taken to protect patients
Patients are advised to wear earplugs or headphones during the scanning planning process to protect their hearing
because MRIs emit loud noise, which can be alarming to patients.
Measures taken to protect operators
Since MRI uses powerful magnets, both the patient and the operator must remove all jewellery, earrings, watches,
mobile phones, and clothing with metal threads.
X-RAYS
