Musings at the beginning of the hyper-CT era

In the past decade, with the introduction and acceptance of helical and multidetector computed tomography (CT), CT has gained ascendancy as the preeminent imaging examination for most abdominal conditions. However, attention must now be directed toward the implications of dose consequent to CT studies. Multidetector CT has resulted in thinner and more slices per region of interest, more extensive studies as adjacent body regions can be assessed in one breath-hold, and more pediatric examinations. Dose per slice is greater with multidetector CT than with single-slice CT, and the number of examinations nationally has risen dramatically. These factors contribute to the radiation burden given to patients and the enhancement of risks for morbidity and mortality later in life.