By what percentage may Automatic Exposure Control (AEC) reduce the radiation dose?

Automatic Exposure Control (AEC) systems are designed to optimize the radiation dose that patients receive during imaging procedures by automatically adjusting the exposure based on the specific characteristics of the patient and the area being scanned. The primary function of AEC is to maintain image quality while minimizing unnecessary radiation exposure.

The correct answer suggests that AEC may reduce the radiation dose by approximately 50%. This level of reduction is achievable because AEC allows for real-time adjustments during the imaging process, which helps to adapt to variations in patient thickness, density, and the specific imaging protocol required. By efficiently managing the amount of radiation used, AEC can significantly lower the exposure compared to non-AEC techniques, which often rely on fixed exposure settings that may not be ideal for every patient.

In practice, this 50% reduction can lead to better patient safety while still providing high-quality diagnostic images. It makes the use of AEC particularly beneficial in clinical settings where multiple factors impact the necessary dose, allowing for a balance between patient safety and diagnostic efficacy.