THE EFFECTS OF RADIOLOGICAL PROCEDURES FOR DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT ON PREGNANCY

Abstract

Technological developments provide rapid improvements in medical applications. Often, new imaging methods are added, and improvements are observed in existing ones. The application of diagnostic and therapeutic radiological procedures during pregnancy has become very common in daily practice. The data obtained using these methods constitute serious gains. However, all these radiological imaging methods have certain effects on the patient. Depending on the method used, different degrees of radiation are given to the patient. As the amount of this radiation increases, it brings certain problems in the patient. Due to the complex nature of fetal development, the fetal effects of radiation are much higher in case of pregnancy. The possibility of being affected by radiation in the early weeks of pregnancy is more than the late weeks of pregnancy. At the same time, the method used has a close relationship with the amount of radiation given to the patient as well as the pregnancy week. It has been discussed in several publications that even ultrasound, which we use frequently in the clinic, can have negative effects on pregnancy in certain situations. When using radiological methods, it is necessary to know what dose of radiation is given to the patient and to know with which methods the effect of this dose can be reduced. These methods, which we use for diagnosis and treatment, should primarily benefit, and their damages should be minimized. In order to meet these conditions, it is necessary to have detailed information about the methods to be used. In this study, in the light of current data, we examined possible maternal / fetal risks in radiological imaging methods that we use frequently in our daily practice. We searched what should be considered when using these methods. Keywords: Radiation, Pregnancy, Teratogenicity