FDA encourages every facility performing CT imaging to review
its CT protocols and be aware of the dose indices normally
displayed on the control panel. These indices include the volume
computed tomography dose index and the dose-length product. For
each protocol selected, and before scanning the patient, carefully
monitor the dose indices displayed on the control panel. To prevent
accidental overexposure, make sure that the values displayed
reasonably correspond to the doses normally associated with the
protocol. Confirm this again after the patient has been scanned.
Patients should follow their doctor's recommendations for
receiving CT scans. While unnecessary radiation exposure should be
avoided, a medically-needed CT scan has benefits that outweigh the
radiation risks.