The economics of computed tomography: comparison with other health care costs.

The economic concern and controversy associated with the rise of computed tomography (CT) have been blown out of proportion. While CT is regarded by many people as an expensive procedure, in reality any increase in cost as the result of installation and continued use of a CT unit in the diagnostic radiology department is more than compensated for by the savings achieved by the concomitant reduction in other procedures, including exploratory surgery and angiography. Unless CT continues to be used in an increasing number of institutions and clinical situations, the potential savings from CT will not be realized.