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.
Owing to the ongoing technologic boom during the past 10 years, there has been a corresponding notable increase in the number of computed tomographic (CT) examinations being performed around the world. The broadened use of CT in clinical practice has raised concerns about mounting radiation exposure, thus emphasizing the need for appropriate strategies to optimize and thereby, if possible, reduce radiation dose due to CT. In the present review, we will present data that document the magnitude of CT radiation exposure and discuss the important safety issues. Various technologic and patient-based strategies proposed by radiologists, physicists, and the CT industry for radiation dose optimization will be discussed.