What is the approximate measure of the radiation dose received in a single slice in CT imaging?

In computed tomography (CT) imaging, the measure of radiation dose associated with a single slice of an image is most accurately represented by the CT Dose Index (CTDI). The CTDI provides a standardized way of expressing the radiation dose delivered by a CT scanner for a specific slice thickness and is essential for assessing patient exposure during imaging.

CTDI is typically measured in milligray (mGy) and reflects the dose that a patient would receive from a single slice within a specific region of interest. It takes into account the impact of the entire beam profile, accounting for the radiation intensity across the slice and the exposure duration. This measurement is crucial for radiologists and technologists to evaluate and optimize imaging protocols to ensure patient safety while maintaining diagnostic quality.

While effective dose (ED), radiation absorbed dose (RAD), and entrance skin dose (ESD) are all related to radiation exposure, they serve different purposes in radiation dosimetry. Effective dose estimates the overall risk of radiation exposure taking into account factors such as tissue sensitivity, and RAD refers to the amount of radiation energy absorbed by a material or tissue. Entrance skin dose measures the radiation dose delivered to the skin at the point of entry, which doesn't provide a comprehensive overview of the dose received from the more