Summary
The diagnosis of suspected venous thromboembolic disease during pregnancy is problematic
because of the fear of fetal irradiation with routine diagnostic procedures. In order
to develop rational guidelines, we have calculated levels of radiation exposure to
the fetus for the common diagnostic procedures and conducted a literature review to
examine the fetal risks associated with these levels of radiation. A small increase
in the relative risk of childhood cancer is suggested by a literature review of outcomes
following low dose (less than 5 rads), in utero radiation exposure. With careful use
of the available procedures, a diagnosis of venous thrombosis is possible with fetal
radiation exposure of less than 0.50 rads and a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism is
possible with fetal radiation exposure of less than 0.05 rads. The risk of such exposure
is small, both in relative and absolute terms.
Keywords
Radiation - Pregnancy - Thromboembolism
