[Radiation burden in high-resolution computerized tomography of the petrous bone]

Exposure to irradiation and radiation stress of the eye lens, thyroid and skin in high resolution computed tomography of the petrous bone are demonstrated by means of measurements conducted by the authors, and compared with results published to date. The radiation stress is less than the doses measured during conventional polytomography of the petrous bone. The exposure of the crystalline lens, in particular, depends decisively on the angle of the gantry or on the position at which CT is performed. The coronary plane is the projection of choice in respect of minimum irradiation exposure. The somatic dose index is higher than in conventional x-ray examinations of the skull, but lower than in cranial CT or other CT examinations.