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What Is a Low Dose CT Scan?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A low dose Computed Tomography (CT) scan provides an image of the inside of a patient’s body with minimal radiation. This reduces risks for the patient by limiting overall radiation exposure in association with the medical imaging study. The trade-off with a low dose CT scan is that the resolution of the images may not be sufficient to meet the needs of the test. Developments in CT technology have resulted in considerable improvements in low dose equipment, making higher doses of radiation increasingly unnecessary.

In this type of medical imaging study, the patient lies on a table while an X-ray takes a series of images, known as slices, of the inside of the body. The slices can be reassembled in a computer program to create a three dimensional image to reveal interesting structures, abnormal growths, and other features. One concern with CT technology is that it can involve a high dose of radiation to capture all the necessary slices, potentially increasing the risk of cancer or other problems later in life.

Patients who receive a low-dose CT scan will receive a reduced amount of exposure to radiation.
Patients who receive a low-dose CT scan will receive a reduced amount of exposure to radiation.

Patients who receive a low dose scan have a much lower amount of radiation exposure. The equipment can also use multiple detectors, allowing several slices to be captured at once. This reduces the amount of time the patient has to spend in the machine and also lowers the overall dose. Technicians can carefully compute the dosage settings on the equipment to tailor them to the patient, producing a low dose CT scan that will provide adequate resolution with the least risks for the patient.

A CT scan technician can compute the dosage settings on the machine to tailor it to a particular patient.
A CT scan technician can compute the dosage settings on the machine to tailor it to a particular patient.

The level of reduction in radiation exposure can depend on the equipment and the area of the body being scanned. A low dose CT scan can use as much as 90% less radiation in some cases, while in others it is less dramatic. Patients with questions or concerns about radiation exposure can discuss it with the technician as well as the medical provider ordering the test, to learn more about the risks and benefits of the CT scan.

In some cases, a low dose CT scans may not offer the clarity necessary to locate or measure an abnormal growth.
In some cases, a low dose CT scans may not offer the clarity necessary to locate or measure an abnormal growth.

There may be cases in which a low dose CT scan is not appropriate because it doesn’t offer enough image clarity. This can depend on why the study has been ordered, specific characteristics of the patient, and the type of equipment in use. Doctors can discuss options with patients and review the situation to determine which kind of testing would be most appropriate. They want to avoid the need to repeat the test for a second set of images.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

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    • Patients who receive a low-dose CT scan will receive a reduced amount of exposure to radiation.
      By: Hakan Kızıltan
      Patients who receive a low-dose CT scan will receive a reduced amount of exposure to radiation.
    • A CT scan technician can compute the dosage settings on the machine to tailor it to a particular patient.
      By: picsfive
      A CT scan technician can compute the dosage settings on the machine to tailor it to a particular patient.
    • In some cases, a low dose CT scans may not offer the clarity necessary to locate or measure an abnormal growth.
      By: Trish23
      In some cases, a low dose CT scans may not offer the clarity necessary to locate or measure an abnormal growth.