'Outdated': Radiologists refute AIIMS director's remark on CT scans

The Indian Radiological and Imaging Association has expressed shock and disappointment at the comments of the AIIMS, Delhi director Dr Randeep Guleria on CT scans. The theory that a CT scan is equivalent to 300-400 chest X-rays is ‘outdated’, the doctors' body said in a statement.

The Radiology and Imaging Association of India has refuted claims made by the AIIMS director's that Computerised Tomography or CT scans are extremely harmful. This theory is ‘outdated’, the doctors' body said in a statement. The statement came in response to an interview given by Dr Randeep Guleria to India Today TV where the AIIMS director warned against ‘overtreatment’, saying that CT scans should be avoided unless prescribed by a medical practitioner. He said those patients having mild Covid-19 symptoms are doing more harm by exposing themselves to radiation generated by a CT scan, and that this escalates the risk of cancer. Dr Randeep Guleria said in the interview that one CT scan is equivalent to 300-400 chest X-rays and this increases the risk of having cancer in later life, especially among the youth due to exposure to harmful radiation. "If you are in doubt, then go for a chest X-ray first. If necessary, the doctor will give proper advice whether a CT scan is needed or not," Dr Guleria had told India Today TV.