Thirteen healthy teenage girls with idiopathic adolescent scoliosis were
studied using multiple thermoluminescent dosimeters while undergoing
standard diagnostic roentgenograms. Average organ doses for each
anteroposterior and lateral examination were calculated for bone marrow,
gastrointestinal tract, lungs, breast tissue, and gonads. Given an average
of twenty-two roentgenograms over a three-year Milwaukee brace-treatment
program, the increase in organ carcinogenic risk due to x-ray radiation
ranged from 3.4 to fifteen per million (1.3 per cent to 7.5 per cent),
except for breast tissue which increased from 140 to 290 per million (110
per cent). Using posteroanterior rather than anteroposterior exposures
reduced the increased risk to 5.3 per million (3.8 per cent). The genetic
risks of scoliosis roentgenographic studies were considered to be
negligible, especially with gonadal shielding and infrequent roentgenograms
made every three to four months. Good technique and judicious ordering of
roentgenograms added significantly to the safety of the patient.