Compare and contrast the possible biological risks and hazards when Essay - 2

Compare and contrast the possible biological risks and hazards when using Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Ultrasound (US) when imaging a pregnant patient - Essay Example With the type of diagnostics required, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) scan, and ultrasound (US) are used; each of these diagnostic methods has both detrimental and beneficial effects on a normal pregnancy. During the first trimester organogenesis takes place in the fetus, teratogenic substances from the environmental will cause organ agenesis and malformations, also death of the fetus is very likely (Holmes, 2011). The teratogens can be in the form of chemicals and radiations, which the mother is exposed to in the environment. With the basic knowledge on teratogenic substances and effects on the fetus, it is important that risks and benefits of any diagnostic methods are determined. This is a non-invasive method that uses of narrow beam x-ray to scan successive layers of tissue in the body for a cross sectional view. This diagnostic method is reliably used in diagnosing pelvic, neurological, skeletal abdominal thoracic conditions and cancers (Shetty, 2010). During pregnancy, it is used to diagnose congenital malformations such as neural tube defects tumors and hemorrhagic conditions in the fetus. However, when the CT scan is done in pregnancy it is likely to bring about the fear of teratogenic and carcinogenic effects due to the ionizing radiations to the growing fetus. The effects are more pronounced when the fetus is in the field of view during the procedure as chances of exposure to the beams are increased. Frequent exposures to the CT scans can also bring about stochastic effects through causing DNA changes in the fetus (Pommier et al., 2009). CT scan has been associated with use of contrast dyes to obtain clear images. Barium and other iodine based intravenous chemicals are used in the process; however, these chemicals have hazardous effects to the growth of the fetus and the health of the mother. Manriquez et al. (2010) also found out that the existence of maternal preeclampsia as an