Computerized tomography (CT) scans performed on patients aged 60-90 at a quaternary-care academic hospital jumped from 50.4% in 2014 to 58.3% in 2024. This trend fuels attention to cumulative radiation exposure in older adults undergoing multiple imaging procedures.
Elderly patients are increasingly receiving recurrent CT exams. In 2024, 26.6% of those 60 and older had two or more scans annually, up from 25.6% in 2014. High-frequency use, five or more scans yearly, is also concentrated in this demographic. Younger adults, however, saw a decline in repeated imaging.
Researchers analyzed CT exams from 2014-2024, focusing on patient age and exam frequency. Projections suggest elderly patients could comprise nearly two-thirds of all CT scans at this hospital by 2035.
While based on single-hospital data, the findings underscore the need for careful CT planning in older adults. Clinicians must balance diagnostic benefits against cumulative radiation exposure, optimize imaging protocols, and consider alternative modalities when appropriate.