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Re: Age determination by x-ray examinations
Sandy
There's nothing wrong with these studies. In fact, I can't think right off
of a study of comparable importance in which as much information is
obtained, at the cost of such a low EDE. Perhaps another Radsafer can
suggest one.
Are we all aware that what's being done, typically, is a radiograph of the
hands (including wrists), and a panoramic dental view? The idea is to
determine when the patient has reached physical maturity (ceased growing),
which is defined by the fusion of the wrist bones, and the appearance of
wisdom teeth. Many centers do these routinely, for, e.g., children who've
had BMT's, since they are usually small for their ages. What methods or
"applications" would you recommend, to get this information?
Cheers
cja
At 12:01 PM 1/7/01 -0800, you wrote:
>I am not a physician, but will provide my own personal opinions.
>
>This practice is akin to many other practices over the decades,
>whereby individuals were exposed to ionizing radiation, all in the
>name of research and for various other socio reasons. In recent
>years, many of these practices have come to the forefront in the
>media, and in the US, into the political arena. These issues, every
>time they are raised, and public attention is raised, only causes
>our profession, health and medical physicists, to be looked upon in
>disdain.
>
>My opinion is that unless there is a significant medical benefit,
>where no other procedure may be used instead of, then the use of
>ionizing radiation, be it from x-ray generating machines, or, from
>nuclear medicine procedures, should not be conducted. How
>different is age determination from the very old practice of proper
>shoe fitting, using fluroscopic machines? Were there other
>methods available? Of course. Are there other applications
>available to determine age? Of course.
>
>When are we going to learn?
>----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Sandy Perle Tel:(714) 545-0100 / (800)
>548-5100
>Director, Technical Extension 2306
>ICN Worldwide Dosimetry Service Fax:(714) 668-3149
>ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc. E-Mail: sandyfl@earthlink.net
>ICN Plaza, 3300 Hyland Avenue E-Mail: sperle@icnpharm.com
>Costa Mesa, CA 92626
>
>Personal Website: http://sandyfl.nukeworker.net
>ICN Worldwide Dosimetry Website: http://www.dosimetry.com
>
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