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GEORGIAN RADIOLOGY CONSULTANTS

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For Your Information – X-rays During Pregnancy

When considering x-ray exam(s), the benefits of having the x-rays should always outweigh any potential risks – for all patients, regardless of pregnancy status.
X-ray procedures are sometimes done during pregnancy or may occur inadvertently before the diagnosis of pregnancy.
Concerns about the use of x-ray procedures during pregnancy stem from the risks associated with fetal exposure to ionizing radiation. The risk to a fetus from ionizing radiation is dependent on the gestational age at the time of exposure and the dose of radiation.¹ A realistic and informed approach to counselling these patients can minimize the anxiety felt by both patients and health care providers.²
Although fears about radiation exposure during pregnancy are valid concerns for the patient, extremely high levels of radiation doses that are associated with any fetal harm are not used in general diagnostic imaging.
Generally speaking, x-ray exams can be classified into Low, Moderate or Higher Dose categories. For example:

Lower	Low-to-Moderate	Higher
X-Rays of Head, Chest, or Extremities	X-Rays of Abdomen or Pelvis areas	CT Scans of Abdomen/Pelvis or interventional procedures

The exams we perform at Georgian Radiology Consultants are considered to be low-to-moderate dose examinations in accordance with research data and best practice guidelines with supporting documentation from the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), the Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the American College of Radiology (ACR), and the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP).
“Why are these x-ray examinations classified as Low?” Consider the following examples^3,4:
- During pre-implantation of a fetus (0-14 days after conception, likely before the pregnancy is known), any fetal harm would only occur at a fetal dose of 5-10 rads. The fetal dose from any extremity x-ray (eg. hand or foot) is less than 0.001 rad.
- Even in the first few weeks of a pregnancy (1-15 weeks), any potential effects would only occur at fetal doses of 20-25 rads. A chest x-ray exposes the fetus to less than 0.010 rad.
It is also worth noting that the fetus is exposed to natural background radiation during the course of pregnancy; during an average pregnancy the fetus will be exposed to 0.1 rads (a measurement of radiation) of naturally occurring radiation. In a general perspective, a typical Chest x-ray exposes a patient to about the same as 10 days of natural background radiation.
In alignment with recent best practice guidelines as well as that of Health Canada, fetal shielding is no longer recommended or used at our facilities. Research has shown that shielding of the fetus provides no benefit as the doses we use in diagnostic x-ray imaging are far below any threshold doses that could cause fetal harm. In addition, the use of shielding anywhere near the body part being examined is not recommended due to the likelihood that it could increase the radiation dose if it enters the x-ray image.
X-ray doses from head, chest and limb exams are so small, there is little to negligible risk to a pregnancy from scattered x-rays reaching the fetus. However, if you are having one of these exams while pregnant and a lead apron would provide you with comfort & confidence in having the x-rays done, we can provide one since it does not interfere with the body part being examined. Please speak to your technologist, as we do not ascertain pregnancy status for these types of exams.
For x-ray exams of the abdominal and pelvic regions during pregnancy, a more detailed discussion with your referring physician is appropriate. It is our policy here at Georgian Radiology Consultants to have a confirmed pregnancy status for these types of exams. Before you have one of these exams, your doctor should discuss with you the benefits versus risks based on your medical situation and stage of pregnancy so that you can make an informed decision. If it is deemed these x-rays are necessary, there is a consent form you and your doctor must sign before these x-ray exams can be performed.
- Please note that for these types of exams, no fetal shielding can be provided as it interferes with the imaging of these exams. If you do not feel comfortable having this type of x-ray exam done without shielding, we will be unable to perform the exam and you will be referred back to your doctor.
Your safety, comfort and confidence in the care we provide are our highest priorities and we aim to give you the best patient care we can.

^1. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2017/10/guidelines-for-diagnostic-imaging-during-pregnancy-and-lactation

² Canadian Medical Association Journal https://www.cmaj.ca/content/179/12/1293

^3,4 Information derived from the Canadian Medical Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Book Your Ultrasound, BMD, Nuclear Medicine Appointment

To book an appt, please FAX the requisition to 705-726-8056

Or for your Ultrasound, BMD, Nuclear Medicine Appointment BOOK HERE with your name, phone number, and a clear copy of your requisition.

X rays are walk in only. Please do not email/fax X ray requisitions.

AODA POLICY GUIDELINES

Things To Remember

Before coming to one of our clinics, please remember:
1. Your valid health card.
2. A signed requisition order or high-risk requisition order from your doctor.
3. Wearing masks is optional but encouraged.

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Visit Georgian Radiology’s new location in Little Lake

March 23, 2018

Georgian Radiology is pleased to announce the opening of our newest clinic in the Little Lake Health Centre on June 22, 2015. This new location will allow us to expand our services in order to