Facts, beliefs, and ambiguities about computed tomography and patient risk

Computed tomography (CT) has transformed diagnostic decision-making since its inception in the 1970s. The increasing radiation exposure received by patients is one of the key concerns linked with the growing use of CT. The association between ionising radiation and the development of neoplasia has been mostly based on extrapolating data from studies of survivors of the 1945 atomic bombs placed on Japan, as well as estimations of the higher relative risk of neoplasia among people working in the nuclear sector. However, the link between low-dose radiation exposure from diagnostic imaging tests and oncogenesis remains unknown. Significant gains in radiation dose reduction have already been made because to better technologies. Several dosage optimization measures are easily accessible, including eliminating unneeded pictures at the ends of collected series, reducing the number of phases captured, and using automatic exposure management rather than fixed tube current procedures. Furthermore, in recent years, new picture reconstruction algorithms that lower radiation dosage have been developed with promising results. These methods make use of iterative reconstruction algorithms to provide diagnostic-quality pictures with less image noise while using fewer radiation doses.