Optimization of Whole-Body CT Examinations of Polytrauma Patients in Comparison with the Current Diagnostic Reference Levels.

Purpose:  Evaluation of the dose values of a polytrauma whole-body CT examination used in clinical practice with regard to the 2016 updated diagnostic reference levels and reduction of the mean exposure levels using simple optimization steps.

Materials And Methods:  In each case, 100 exposure values before and after dose optimization were compared with the old and new diagnostic reference levels. The grayscale values and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were determined for the lung, the aortic arch and the liver.