CT: Is there a possibility of damage to the Brain Cells as a result of CT Scans?

By Omebiro Victor

Image slide of a Brain CT Scan

A CT Scan exercises the use high sensitive X-rays to produce detailed pictures of the body. Thus CT Scans are carried in a radiation protected environment, and health workers kitted with radiation protective materials.

Regarding the measure of safety taken during a CT Scan, consideration has been made concerning the impact of the CT to delicate structures inside of the body, but we will focus on the brain cells.    


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Multiple CT Scans

Most of the time when a patient is admitted for a neurological procedure, the doctor takes numerous scans either CT or MRI. As they are required to evaluate the patients anatomical data on a regular basis such that you don't get any surprises in an intra-operative environment.


Taking two CT Scans may be risky to effects to delicate and sensitive structures in the body, as the major health risk of CT scanners is the use of X-rays. But taking two CT Scans won't damage the cells of the body.

CT Reassurance


Due to the increasing number of detectors and faster computers has allowed the scans to be performed with increasing quickness. This has resulted in continually lower dose of radiation, which has made CT scans continually safer.


Radiation emitted by the CT Machine are not harmful for the human body, but only long term or continuous exposure to such radiations can cause complications.

CT scans have never had a dose high enough to destroy brain cells and even though X-rays have the potential to damage DNA, the probability that it will result in a mutation is extremely small. The chances of having a CT-induced mutation which results in cancer (brain or others) is exceedingly mild and although it is possible.


CT scanners are truly one of the highest achievements in modern medical technology and the incredibly small risk they pose is far outweighed by the benefits that they possess.