Chest X-rays. Routine test with minimal dose of radiation.
CT Chest. Cross sectional images that provide greater detail for the lungs. With the risk of more radiation exposure.
Low dose CT Chest. Much less radiation exposure than conventional CT Chest, typically used for screening for lung cancer.
Other less frequent modalities: PETCT, Chest Ultrasound.
| Procedure | Approximate effective radiation dose | Comparable to natural background radiation for: |
|---|---|---|
| Computed Tomography (CT)–Chest | 6.1 mSv | 2 years |
| Computed Tomography (CT)–Lung Cancer Screening | 1.5 mSv | 6 months |
| Chest X-ray | 0.1 mSv | 10 days |
