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The number of patients undergoing computed tomographic (CT) examinations in the province of Manitoba is reported for the period 1977-1987. The annual patient throughput has increased from 4.2 per 10(3) population in 1978 to 18.2 per 10(3) population in 1987. Over the same period, the per capita population dose from CT has increased from 4.2 to 81.0 microSv. This substantial rise has occurred because of an increase in patient throughput, higher radiation doses associated with modern CT scanners and an increasing proportion of (higher dose) body CT studies. The mean patient dose on a second generation (EMI 5005) scanner was about 1.4 mSv, whereas the corresponding doses on third generation scanners operating in Manitoba were 3.9 mSv (GE 9800) and 5.6 mSv (Siemens DRH).