Considerations of radiation dose in the management of intracranial abscesses by computed tomography

Abstract
Patients with intracranial abscesses may be exposed to high doses of radiation through repeated pre-operative and follow-up CT [computed tomography] studies, combined with conventional radiographic techniques. In a series of 30 patients, the calculated doses did not, however, exceed a theoretically cataractogenic dose of 200 cGy [centigrays] (rad). Ways in which the radiation exposure may be kept to a minimum are discussed.