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AJNR - American Journal of Neuroradiology

Published ahead of print on September 24, 2007
doi: 10.3174/ajnr.A0814

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American Journal of Neuroradiology 28:1628-1632, October 2007
© 2007 American Society of Neuroradiology

Physics Review

Radiation Dose-Reduction Strategies for Neuroradiology CT Protocols

A.B. Smith^a, W.P. Dillon^a, R. Gould^a and M. Wintermark^a

^a From the Department of Radiology, Neuroradiology Section, University of California, San Francisco, Calif

Please address correspondence to Max Wintermark, MD, Department of Radiology, Neuroradiology Section, University of California, San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Ave, Box 0628, San Francisco, CA 94143-0628; e-mail: Max.Wintermark{at}radiology.ucsf.edu

SUMMARY: Within the past 2 decades, the number of CT examinations performed has increased almost 10-fold. This is in large part due to advances in multidetector-row CT technology, which now allows faster image acquisition and improved isotropic imaging. The increased use, along with multidetector technique, has led to a significantly increased radiation dose to the patient from CT studies. This places increased responsibility on the radiologist to ensure that CT examinations are indicated and that the "as low as reasonably achievable" concept is adhered to. Neuroradiologists are familiar with factors that affect patient dose such as pitch, milliamperes, kilovolt peak (kVp), collimation, but with increasing attention being given to dose reduction, they are looking for additional ways to further reduce the radiation associated with their CT protocols. In response to increasing concern, CT manufacturers have developed dose-reduction tools, such as dose modulation, in which the tube current is adjusted along with the CT acquisition, according to patient's attenuation. This review will describe the available techniques for reducing dose associated with neuroradiologic CT imaging protocols.

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