Computed tomography of the abdomen: from one size fits all to custom-made

Since the discovery of the CT scanner in 1971, contrast media protocols, software and the scanners themselves have evolved rapidly. In the beginning, a one-size-fits-all method was used. The radiation dose was the same in each patient, as was the amount of contrast medium that was applied. However, the technical development of the scanner has made it possible to perform scans with different tube current (mAs) and tube voltage (kV). This thesis provides guidance on how to individualize both the radiation and the contrast media dose, based on the clinical question and patient characteristics (such as weight, age and renal function). The aim is to achieve optimal image quality in every patient.