What does DLP stand for in the context of CT scans?

DLP stands for Dose Length Product in the context of CT scans. It is a crucial metric used to quantify the radiation dose associated with a computed tomography (CT) procedure. The DLP is calculated by multiplying the CT dose index (CTDI), which measures the radiation dose for a single slice, by the length of the scanned volume in centimeters. This product provides an estimate of the total radiation exposure for the entire examination, taking into account not only the dose per slice but also the number of slices acquired.

Understanding DLP is essential for radiologists and technologists as it helps assess and manage patient exposure to radiation during imaging procedures. It is a parameter that can be used to compare the radiation dose of different CT scans and serves as a guide for developing protocols that minimize dose while maintaining image quality.