The deviation of liver dose in real patients for thoracic computed tomography scans: a new approach to individual dosimetry with methods of radiotherapy treatment planning.

The increasing use of computed tomography (CT) in diagnostic imaging is associated with a relevant increase in patient dose and requires CT dose optimization. Anthropomorphic phantoms and mathematical patient models have been developed to improve the dosimetry in diagnostic imaging. Nevertheless, the doses calculated in these models and the ones individual patients can receive may differ considerably.