Dose Exposure of Patients Undergoing Comprehensive Stroke Imaging by Multidetector-Row CT: Comparison of 320-Detector Row and 64-Detector Row CT Scanners

Phantom measurements indicate that comprehensive stroke imaging with multidetector row CT may result in effective radiation doses from 7.52 mSv (64-detector row CT) to 10.6 mSv (320-detector row CT). The technique of 320-detector row CT offers additional information on the time course of vascular enhancement and whole-brain perfusion. Physicians should weigh the potential of the new technique against the higher radiation dose that is needed. Critical doses that would cause organ damage were not reached.