Are there risks? CT scans can diagnose possibly life-threatening conditions such as hemorrhage, blood clots, or cancer. An early diagnosis of these conditions could potentially be life-saving. However, CT scans use x-rays, and all x-rays produce ionizing radiation.

Does computed tomography use radiation?

Like other X-ray imaging exams, CT scans expose you briefly to a small, targeted amount of ionizing radiation. The radiation helps create an image of structures inside your body.

Which scans do not use radiation?

Medical imaging exams that use radiation include traditional x-rays, CT, nuclear imaging exams, or fluoroscopy. However, there are other types of imaging exams that use technology that does not emit radiation. MRI and Ultrasound scans do not use radiation at all, and therefore do not pose any increased risk of cancer.