FDA Warns Patients Received Radiation Overdose in CT Scans

The agency urged hospitals and other users of CT devices "to report deaths and serious injuries associated with the use of medical devices," including adverse events related to CT devices that do not meet requirements for mandatory reporting."

Earlier this year, California health officials fined Mad River Community Hospital in Arcata, CA, $25,000 because of an incident in January 2008 that put one youngster in immediate jeopardy.

A 23-month-old boy was given a massive radiation overdose during a series of 151 CT scans of his cervical spine over a 65-minute period.

The patient, Jacoby Roth, received an estimated 2.8-11 Gy, much higher than the dose he should have received. The child had been admitted to the emergency department for a possible neck injury resulting from a fall out of bed at home. An X-ray showed a possible injury.

The child's injuries included redness on the patient's left and right checks. The boy's parents have filed a lawsuit alleging medical malpractice and battery. An expert epidemiologist has suggested the child is at increased risk of cancer.