Introduction: Radiological procedures using ionizing radiation save numerous lives every day. Among these is computed tomography, which uses high levels of ionizing radiation to obtain diagnostic images. Recent data shows that the number of computed tomography examinations has been increasing over the years, leading to a higher number of repeat examinations. Certain medical conditions require the use of repeated computed tomography examinations to monitor disease progression and treatment effectiveness. Consequently, patients receive high cumulative doses of 100 mSv or more. The development of dose management systems facilitates easier tracking of patients receiving high cumulative doses, unfortunately these systems are not yet available in some parts of the world. Purpose: The purpose of the diploma work is to systematically review the literature to investigate the impact of repeated computed tomography examinations on patient exposure to ionizing radiation. We aim to collect and analyze existing research on cumulative radiation exposure, assess the risks for patients, and determine the long-term health effects. Methods: We used a descriptive method with a systematic literature review. We searched for Slovenian and English research and scientific articles in databases such as Springer Nature Link, Science Direct, Pub Med Central, Brazilian Journal of Radiation Sciences, Institute of Physics Sciences, and other reliable and relevant sources. For the search, we used keywords: recurrent CT scans, recurrent CT exams, recurrent radiological procedures. We considered inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Out of a total of 137 hits from the databases, we included 15 articles in the systematic review. We categorized them by title, author, and year, then summarized the main findings for each. We found that the number of examinations, choice of protocol, anatomical region and hospital practice affect the cumulative dose. Dose management systems allow us to monitor these cumulative doses in patients, which positively impacts the reduction of exposure, especially for those who undergo examinations multiple times. Patient exposure can also be reduced by using alternative examinations without ionizing radiation. From the articles, we found that there are also significant differences between the exposure of children compared to adults. Discussion and conclusion: Patients who frequently undergo multiple computed tomography examinations often exceed the threshold of 100 mSv. Various approaches could reduce patient exposure, such as imaging methods without ionizing radiation and the use of dose reduction protocols. The use of standardized protocols and dose monitoring systems, which are not yet uniform in practice, is also crucial. It is important to monitor and continuously adapt to evolving guidelines, as the goal is to provide good diagnostics with the lowest possible burden on patients.
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