CT Dose Optimization When Changing to CT Multi-Detector Row Technology

Verdun, Francis R.; Gutierrez, Daniel; Schnyder, Pierre; Aroua, Abbas; Bochud, François; Gudinchet, François

doi:10.1067/j.cpradiol.2007.04.001

« Previous Next »Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology
Volume 36, Issue 4 , Pages 176-184, July 2007

CT Dose Optimization When Changing to CT Multi-Detector Row Technology

Francis R. Verdun, PhD
- University Institute for Radiation Physics, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Reprint requests: Francis R. Verdun, PhD, University Institute for Radiation Physics, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Grand-Pré 1, CH-1007, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Daniel Gutierrez, MS
- University Institute for Radiation Physics, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
Pierre Schnyder, MD
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Abbas Aroua, PhD
- University Institute for Radiation Physics, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
François Bochud, PhD
- University Institute for Radiation Physics, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
François Gudinchet, MD
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.

The purpose of this article was to review the strategies to control patient dose in adult and pediatric computed tomography (CT), taking into account the change of technology from single-detector row CT to multi-detector row CT. First the relationships between computed tomography dose index, dose length product, and effective dose in adult and pediatric CT are revised, along with the diagnostic reference level concept. Then the effect of image noise as a function of volume computed tomography dose index, reconstructed slice thickness, and the size of the patient are described. Finally, the potential of tube current modulation CT is discussed.