Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology

Family Resources

At Children’s National, we understand that families have many questions about their child’s condition and care. In addition to any resources your provider may give you, our online resources can also support your ongoing treatment journey.

Frequently Asked Questions - CT Scans and Radiation Risks

If my doctor requests a CT scan, should I let my child have it?

The beneficial information gained from having the test should outweigh the risk of having the test performed. CT is a very powerful and valuable imaging technique that can provide important and even life-saving information. Sometimes, alternative imaging tests like ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide similar information. However, there are many clinical situations where CT scans are the best test; you can discuss with your doctor if this is the case for your child. If your doctor has any questions, our pediatric radiologists are available for consultation.

Is there an increased risk of cancer from medical radiation, especially CT scans?

While no one can point to a single individual and say that his/her cancer was caused by medical radiation, it has been suggested in some studies that exposure to radiation levels during diagnostic CT scans may slightly increase the risk of future cancer. The evidence for this is still controversial, and needs to be interpreted against the risk of developing cancer over ones lifetime. For every 1,000 children, 200 to 400 will eventually develop cancer during their lifetime, regardless of exposure to medical radiation (risk of 20 percent to 40 percent). The theoretical increased risk of cancer during ones lifetime from a single CT scan is a small fraction of this baseline risk. Unnecessary radiation should be avoided, but for any child the risk/benefit ratio of each CT scan must be considered with regard to the child's specific clinical condition and concerns.

What steps do you take to reduce radiation to my child?

At Children's National, we specialize in caring for children. CT protocols are designed specifically for the needs and protection of children. The CT protocols use reduced radiation doses determined by the age and size of the child, and are limited to the area of specific medical concern. All CT scans are performed by certified CT technologists with experience in pediatric CT and are overseen and interpreted by board-certified radiologists with subspecialty training and certification in pediatric radiology.

Who do I talk to if I have concerns?

Information Sheets - Radiology Exams

These information sheets were created by our child life specialists to be child-friendly and helpful to our parents that will be having radiology exams.

Barium Enema (PDF)
Bone Scan (PDF)
Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan (PDF)
Dimercaptosuccinic Acid (DMSA) Renal Scan (PDF)
Lasix Renal Scan (PDF)
Modified Barium Swallow Study (PDF)
MRI Enterography (MRE) (PDF)
MRI Urogram (MRU) (PDF)
MRI with sedation (PDF)
MRI without sedation (PDF)
Nuclear Cystogram (PDF)
Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
- Body Scan with sedation (PDF)
- Body Scan without sedation (PDF)
- Brain with sedation (PDF)
- Brain without sedation (PDF)
- Seizures with sedation (PDF)
- Seizures without sedation (PDF)
Upper Gastrointestinal Series (PDF)
Voiding Cystourethrogram (VCUG) (PDF)

Send Us Your Imaging Exams

Children's National Hospital makes it easy for patients, families and referring physicians to electronically exchange medical images and other health-related records with our providers before your initial consultation or follow-up visit. Learn more about this secure HIPAA-compliant service.

Learn how to send your exams