Imaging of the abdomen and pelvis represents the most frequent application of CT, contributing to more than one-third of all CT examinations [1]. In this article, we present an approach to radiation dose management for abdominal CT.The importance of ensuring the appropriateness of CT for a given clinical indication cannot be overemphasized for radiation dose reduction. When not clinically indicated, not performing a CT examination is certainly the best radiation dose reduction strategy. Decision support systems are now commercially available to determine the appropriateness of given clinical indications for different imaging examinations, including CT.To make conscientious CT protocols for different indications, a basic understanding of CT scan parameters [2] and their effects on lesion conspicuity and image quality is required. Although lesion conspicuity remains unimpaired despite lower image quality associated with low-radiation dose CT for certain lesion types, such as urinary tract calculi, vascular abnormalities, or co-Ionic polyps, often it may be compromised with a low-dose CT protocol for small, subde, or low-contrast lesions of the liver and pancreas.
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