FDA Issues Interim Recommendations Regarding Brain CT Perfusion Imaging


As part of an ongoing investigation into cases of excess radiation during CT perfusion imaging of the brain, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an initial safety notification in October after learning of 206 patients who had been exposed to excess radiation in Los Angeles over an 18-month period.

Since then, the FDA, working with state and local health authorities, has identified at least 50 additional patients who were exposed to excess radiation during their CT perfusion scans. These cases so far involve more than one manufacturer of CT scanners. The FDA has also received reports of possible excess radiation from other states.  The FDA encourages patients to follow their doctor’s recommendations for receiving CT scans.

Please see the links below for guidance from the ACR and the FDA regarding this matter.

Click here to read previous ACR statement on CT protocols and radiation dose.

Click here to read the FDA news release.