title: Body CT: technical advances for improving safety.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this review, we attempt to address many of the issues that are related to ensuring patient benefit in body CT, balancing the use of ionizing radiation and iodinated contrast media. We attempt to not only summarize the literature but also make recommendations relevant to CT protocols, including the technical parameters of both the scanner and the associated contrast media.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although CT is a powerful tool that has transformed the practice of medicine, the benefits are accompanied by important risks. Radiologists must understand these risks and the strategies available to minimize them as well as the risks associated with contrast medium delivery in abdominal CT.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Marin
authors.forename: Rendon C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: Geoffrey D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Rubin
authors.forename: Sebastian T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Schindera
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000379:methods*; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000009:adverse effects*; D051598:Whole Body Imaging / Q000009:adverse effects*