Advanced computed tomography technology and patient dose: a literature review.

Cumulative patient radiation dose is a hot topic making headlines today. Responsible for almost two thirds of the medical radiation dose given to patients, computed tomography (CT) has been the major target of these news articles. Through this review of peer reviewed publications, an examination of the relationship between the advancement of technology in CT equipment and the increasing patient dose areexplored. Discussion includes CT scan protocols, demands of physicians, equipment capabilities, and possible solutions to address the problem. Although most of these issues are well known in the imaging community, a few of the results are somewhat surprising. The information disclosed will help form a path to a future with lowerradiation doses received by all patients.