Deterministic effects are predictable, occurring with dose-dependent severity. These effects generally do not occur below a certain threshold value.

Deterministic effects are generally associated with intermediate to high radiation exposure - orders of magnitude above most doses used in diagnostic radiology (possible exception being certain interventional procedures).

By contrast, radiation-induced cancer and genetic mutations are examples of stochastic effects, which are discussed in another section of this tutorial. Stochastic effects represent the greatest potential hazard to tissues irradiated for diagnostic procedures.