Which method could aid rapid documentation of a lesion in a pregnant patient but minimize radiation exposure?

• A. Panoramic radiograph
• B. CT scan
• C. MRI
• D. Photograph

Answer: (D)

Documenting a lesion quickly while avoiding radiation is best done with photography. Capturing intraoral or extraoral photographs provides a real-time, noninvasive record of the lesion’s appearance—size, shape, color, margins, and surface characteristics—that can be measured and compared over time without exposing the patient to ionizing radiation. It’s fast, inexpensive, and widely available, making it ideal for rapid documentation in a pregnant patient where radiation exposure should be minimized. Other imaging options involve radiation (like panoramic radiographs or CT) or, while non-radiation-based like MRI, are less practical for quick, repeatable documentation of a surface lesion and require more resources.