title: Strategies for CT radiation dose optimization.
abstract: Recent technologic advances have markedly enhanced the clinical applications of computed tomography (CT). While the benefits of CT exceed the harmful effects of radiation exposure in patients, increasing radiation doses to the population have raised a compelling case for reduction of radiation exposure from CT. Strategies for radiation dose reduction are difficult to devise, however, because of a lack of guidelines regarding CT examination and scanning techniques. Various methods and strategies based on individual patient attributes and CT technology have been explored for dose optimization. It is the purpose of this review article to outline basic principles of CT radiation exposure and emphasize the need for CT radiation dose optimization based on modification of scanning parameters and application of recent technologic innovations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, White 270-E, 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
authors.forename: Mannudeep K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Kalra
authors.forename: Michael M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Maher
authors.forename: Thomas L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Toth
authors.forename: Leena M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Hamberg
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Blake
authors.forename: Jo-Anne
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Shepard
authors.forename: Sanjay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000379:methods; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation