Dear Editor,

The feature, "Patients and Physicians Uninformed About CT risks, Study Says," in the August issue of RSNA News illustrates the need for more education regarding radiation dose and risks associated with CT. The study estimates the radiation dose from one CT ranges from 100 to 250 chest radiographs. Recently, a table published in Radiology Today (July 19, 2004) summarized doses from a European Commission report. This table lists the typical effective dose in mSv for CT head and CT abdomen procedures as 2 and 10 mSv, equaling 100 and 500 PA chest radiographs, respectively. Also, the time period for the same equivalent effective dose from natural background radiation (based on 3 mSv/yr) ranged from 243 days to 3.3 years. This table also lists other procedures compared to an effective dose of 0.023 mSv for a PA film.

While effective dose may vary according to procedure, patient variables, imaging system and operating technique, the increasing prevalence of CT scanning suggests imaging professionals will need a more sophisticated understanding of the dosimetry and potential risks associated with this modality.

James Bradley Summers, M.D.
University of South Alabama, Mobile

To the Editor:

Regarding your item in the August issue of RSNA News concerning the appointment of Kaori Togashi, M.D., Ph.D., as the first woman to chair a radiology department at a national university in Japan (Kyoto University's Graduate School of Medicine), I would also like to recognize the accomplishments of RSNA member Atsuko Heshiki, M.D.

Dr. Heshiki has been a female chair of a radiology department at a private Japanese medical school (Saitama Medical School) for some 17 years.

Dr. Heshiki completed her residency in diagnostic radiology at Johns Hopkins Hospital in the mid '60s, at which time I was radiologist-in-charge of the Division of Diagnostic Radiology there. We have been very proud of Dr. Heshiki's accomplishments. She recently became president-elect of the Medical Women's International Association and, in that capacity, was at the United Nations in New York this fall.

Sincerely,
B.G. Brogdon, M.D.
University Distinguished Professor Emeritus
Department of Radiology
University of South Alabama Medical Center, Mobile