Health experts have suggested whole-body CT scans – designed to identify hidden conditions -- may expose patients to greater radiation risks than the benefits they provide. But a new study has found whole-body CT is better than standard tests at finding certain diseases.
The study, conducted at the University of Maryland in Baltimore, found low-dose whole-body CT is nearly four times better than radiographic skeletal survey -- the standard of care in the U.S. -- for determining the extent of disease in patients with multiple myeloma.
The study, presented last week at the American Roentgen Ray Society annual meeting in Vancouver, involved 51 patients who had both a standard scan as well as a low-dose whole-body CT examination. The total number of lesions detected in patients with whole body scans was 968 versus 248 detected by skeletal survey – offering a greater opportunity for early treatment, said lead researcher Dr. Kelechi Princewill. Whole body scans detected more lesions in the spine, ribs, sternum and flat bones.
"The stage of disease determines treatment, and the study found that in 31 patients, the stage of disease would have been different with low dose whole body CT,” Princewill said. “Thirteen patients would have been upstaged from stage I to stage II; nine patients would have been upstaged from stage I to stage III and nine patients would have been upstaged from stage II to III based on additional lesions detected on the low dose whole body CT." said Dr. Princewill.