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Thromb Haemost 1989; 61(02): 189-196
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1646557
Original Article
Schattauer GmbH Stuttgart

Risks to the Fetus of Radiologic Procedures Used in the Diagnosis of Maternal Venous Thromboembolic Disease

Jeffrey S Ginsberg
The Departments of Medicine and Radiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
,
Jack Hirsh
The Departments of Medicine and Radiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
,
Andrew J Rainbow
The Departments of Medicine and Radiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
,
Geoffrey Coates
The Departments of Medicine and Radiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 23 August 1988

Accepted after revision 16 November 1988

Publication Date:
30 June 2018 (online)

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Summary

The diagnosis of suspected venous thromboembolic disease during pregnancy is problematic because of the fear of fetal irradiation with routine diagnostic procedures. In order to develop rational guidelines, we have calculated levels of radiation exposure to the fetus for the common diagnostic procedures and conducted a literature review to examine the fetal risks associated with these levels of radiation. A small increase in the relative risk of childhood cancer is suggested by a literature review of outcomes following low dose (less than 5 rads), in utero radiation exposure. With careful use of the available procedures, a diagnosis of venous thrombosis is possible with fetal radiation exposure of less than 0.50 rads and a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism is possible with fetal radiation exposure of less than 0.05 rads. The risk of such exposure is small, both in relative and absolute terms.

Keywords

Radiation - Pregnancy - Thromboembolism
 

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