[The practice of x-ray computed tomography during a period of rapid growth. A survey on the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in 1986].

From May to September 1986, a sample of 748 CT-scanner examinations, representative of the total annual activity, has been collected in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region. The regional activity of CT-scanner has been estimated to 91,200 examinations in 1986 (total France: 628,500 in 1985) or 22.7 procedures per 1,000 inhabitants (total France: 11,4 in 1985). CT-scanner is now a routine diagnostic imaging device with an annualized average of 6,080 procedures per machine (5,770 in public sector and 8,415 in the for-profit private one). The mean effective utilization time for a machine in one year was 2,700 hours in a regional, public, teaching hospital (PTH) and 3,100 in private, for-profit establishment (PPE). The number of procedures per machine-use hour was 2,4 in PTH and 2.8 PPE. No procedural difference has been observed between the two sectors in carrying out the technique. CT-Scanner diffusion in the private for profit sector has meant: - an increase in the demand from general medical practionners (more than 1/4 examinations); - a larger range of indications concerning less serious health conditions.