In 2023, the total number of computed tomography (CT) exams in the US stood at 294.1 units per thousand persons. Over the last two years, there was a significant increase in CT exams, with a year-on-year variation of 6.17% in 2023 and 9.06% in 2022. This follows a recovery from the sharp decline of 21.18% experienced in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the last five years (2018-2023) is 3.24%, indicating a steady growth trend apart from the 2020 anomaly.

Looking ahead, the forecasted annual growth rate from 2024 to 2028 is approximately 0.98%, with a cumulative growth of 4.99% over this five-year period. This suggests a continued but modest upward trajectory in the volume of CT exams per thousand persons.

Future trends to watch for include:

Advancements in CT technology leading to potentially increased usage.
Healthcare policy changes that might impact the accessibility and frequency of CT exams.
The development of alternative diagnostic technologies that could either complement or compete with CT exams.