CT Mosby Terms Flashcards
180 Degree Linear Interpolation (180LI)
Type of algorithm used for MSCT image reconstruction in which data acquired from a shorter distance (180 degrees) away from the reconstructed slice location are interpolated.
360-degree linear interpolation (360 LI)
type of algorithm used for MSCT image reconstruction in which two sets of projection data acquired 360 degress apart are used to form an image at a precise z-axis location
Absorbed Dose
The amount of x-ray energy absorbed in a unit of mass (measured in grays Gy)
Absorption Efficiency
The ability of an individual CT detector to absorb & measure the transmitted x-ray intensity incident upon it. Primarily controlled by the characteristics & physical makeup of the detector material.
Adaptive Array
the type of MSCT detector array configured with the thinnest detectors at the center, surrounded by detectors of incrementally increasing widths along the z-axis.
Advanced Single Slice Rebinning (ASSR) Algorithm
cone beam correction algorithm used to overcome potential attenuation calculation errors from the divergent beam of MSCT systems.
Afterglow
the tendency of a scintillation-type CT detector to continue to glow in response to x-radiation after the exposure source has been terminated
Agatston Score
quantification of the volume and density of calcium within the coronary arteries. As calculated a CT coronary artery calcification (CAC) examination, the Agatston score is used to indicate a patient’s risk of suffering a cardiac event.
ALARA
Cardinal principle of radiation dose reduction for all radiologic procedures (as low as reasonably achievable)
Algorithm
Mathematical filter applied to raw data during CT image reconstruction to remove blurring artifact inherent to back-projection (also referred to as KERNEL)
Aliasing
A form of streak artifact caused by an insufficient number of views (data samples) obtained during data acquisition.
Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC)
component of the data acquisition system (DAS) responsible for converting the electronic signal emitted by the CT detectors into digital form.
Archival
the storage of CT data in either hard (film) or soft (digital) form.
Array Processor (AP)
Component of the CT computer system responsible for receiving raw scan data, performing all of the major processing of the CT image, and returning the reconstructed image to the storage memory of the host computer.
Arterial Phase
Period of peak arterial enhancement after the bolus IV admin of iodinated CM (for example, the hepatic arterial phase occurs approximately 25-35 seconds after the initiation of CM admin)
Artifact
A form of noise on the CT image resulting from errors during the measurement of transmitted radiation by the detectors
Ataxia
A neurologic sign characterized by a loss of muscular coordination
Attenuation
the reduction in intensity of a radiation beam as it passes through a substance.
Attenuation Coefficient
the value assigned to an object quantifying its ability to attenuate an x-ray beam
Automatic Tube Current Modulation (ATCM)
CT system software used to adjust the mA throughout an acquisition to reduce patient radiation dose to a minimum
Automatic Tube Voltage Selection (ATVS)
CT system software used to adjust the tube voltage (kVp) based upon the changing patient attenuation along the scan acquisition range to reduce patient radiation dose to a minimum.
Back-Projection
the mathematical process of CT image reconstruction whereby ray sum data are projected back onto a matrix.
Beam Hardening
The phenomenon whereby low-energy photons are absorbed as the x-ray beam passes through an object, resulting in an increase in the average photon energy of the beam.
Beam Pitch
The ratio of table feed per gantry rotation to the total collimation used during acquisition with a multislice CT (MSCT) system.
Beam Width
The dimension of the primary beam in the longitudinal or z-axis as controlled by the pre-patient collimator.
Binning
the process of electronically combining signal from adjacent detector elements to produce a reconstructed CT image that is thicker than the individual detector width
Bit Depth
The number of information bits contained within each pixel
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
A measurement of renal function, determined as the amount of nitrogen in the blood in the form of the waste product urea (normal range: 7-25mg/dL)
Bow-tie Filter
A type of filter added to the CT x-ray tube to compensate for the cylindrical shape of most body parts. The filter is thicker at the ends & helps shape the beam to reduce patient radiation exposure
Cardiac Cycle
The series of blood flow-related events that occur from the beginning of one heartbeat to that of the next
Cerebral Blood Flow (CBF)
A common measurement during CT perfusion studies of the brain. The quantity of blood (ML) that moves through 100g of brain tissue each minute. (Normal range in gray matter is 50-60 mL/100g/min)
Cerebral Blood Volume (CBV)
a common measurement during CT perfusion studies of the brain. The quantity of blood (mL) contained within a 100g volume of brain tissue. (Normal range is 4 to 5 mL/100 g)
Cerebral Perfusion
the level of blood flow throughout brain tissue
Coma
A state of unconsciousness where the individual is completely unresponsive to stimuli
Constant mAs
the product of milliamperage (mA) and scan time (seconds) utilized for a CT acquisition.
Contiguous Images
CT images acquired with equal section thickness and reconstruction intervals
Contrast Resolution
the ability of a CT system to detect an object with a small difference in linear attenuation coefficient from the surrounding tissue. (May also be referred to as low-contrast detectability or sensitivity.)
Contrast-Induced Nephrotoxicity (CIN)
a substantial decline in renal function that can occur after a patient receives IV contrast material. it is usually signified by a marked increase in serum creatinine over a baseline measurement obtained prior to contrast agent administration.
Convolution
Mathematical filtration used by the CT system to remove blurring artifact during the back-projection method of image reconstruction.
Corticomedullary Phase
a late arterial phase of renal enhancement beginning 30-40 seconds after the initiation of contrast agent administration. Optimal enhancement of the renal cortex and renal veins occurs during this period.
Creatinine
A waste product of metabolism found in the bloodstream and measured as an indicator of renal function (normal range 0.5-1.5 mg/dL)
CT Arthrography
CT evaluation of a joint after the intra-articular injection of iodinated contrast material.
CT Bronchography
specialized MSCT examination of the tracheobronchial tree consisting of MPR and volume-rendered 3D images reconstructed from thin, overlapping MDCT axial images through the airways.
CT Colonography
specialized CT evaluation of the large intestine used primarily for colon cancer screening. The large intestine is extended and scanned with thin-section CT. 2D and 3D models are constructed, including virtual endoscopic “fly-through” views.
CT Cystography
specialized CT examination of the bladder whereby iodinated contrast material is administered directly under gravity into the bladder via Foley catheter
CT Dose Index (CTDI)
an approximate measure of the radiation dose received in a single CT section or slice.
CT Enteroclysis
specialized CT evaluation of the small bowel whereby enteral contrast material is administered directly into the duodenum through a nasogastric catheter placed under fluoroscopic guidance.
CT Enterography
specialized CT evaluation of the small bowel after the oral administration of low-density (0.1%) barium.
CT Fluoroscopy
continuous, real-time CT imagine used predominantly for CT guided interventional procedures.
CT Myelography
CT evaluation of the spinal cord and nerve roots after the intrathecal administration of iodonated contrast material.
CT Number
relative value assinged to each pixel to quantify the attenuation occurring in each voxel in comparison with the attenuation of water. Given in Hounsfield units (HU) may also be referred to as PIXEL VALUE.
CT Runoff
the CT angiographic assessment of the peripheral artierial tree from the renal arteries through the lower extremeties.
CT Simulation
the process of obtaining anatomic information with CT imaging that is used to calculate the beam arrangement for radiotherapy.
CT Urogram
a comprehensive, multiphasic CT evaluation of the urinary tract. Consists primarily of pre-contrast, post-contrast, and delayed CT acquisitions through the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. (Commonly referred to as a CT-IVP.)
Cupping Artifact
an error appearing in the superior portion of the skull, where dense bone averages with the low-attenuating brain tissue. This partial volume artifact may result in abnormally dense-appearing brain parenchyma.
Data Acquisition System (DAS)
The electronic components of a CT system responsible for measuring the transmitted x-radiation absorbed by the detectors.
Data Channel
pathway of data transmission from the detectors to the computerized components of the system’s data acquisition system. The number of data channels of a CT system determines the maximum number of sections that may be acquired with each gantry rotation
Data Transfer Rate
The speed at which a computerized storage device is able to transfer data
Deconvolution
mathematical image processing technique used to generate blood perfusion maps during CT perfusion studies of the brain.
Detector
device responsible for measuring transmitted radiation and converting it into a proportionate electronic signal to be used for image reconstruction.
Detector Array
the CT image receptor, consisting of a series of detectors arranged in varying configurations.
Detector Collimation
the process of determining section width in the MSCT system as determined by the defined beam width and the number and thickness of detectors utilized for image reconstruction.
Detector Configuration
the number, length, and organization of the individual detector elements in an MSCT system
Detector Pitch
the ratio of table feed per gantry rotation to the acquired section width. This definition of pitch is used for helical single-slice CT (SSCT)
Diastole
The portion of the cardiac cycle when the heart muscle is relaxed. Reflects the force exhibited on the arterial walls during relaxation of the heart muscle. (Bottom or second number provided during try assessment of blood pressure)
DICOM
The process of recording, storing, printing, and transmitting medical images data (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine)
Display Field of View (DFOV)
the diameter of the acquired attenuation data displayed across the image matrix. (may also be referred to as the ZOOM FACTOR or TARGET VIEW)
Dose Length Product (DLP)
the measurement of dose for the entire series of CT images. Equal to the calculated dose per section mulitplied by the length of a CT acquisition along the z-axis.
Dose Profile
The section of the patient exposed to radiation at the gantry isocenter.
Dual-Energy CT
simultaneous acquisition, by and MSCT system, of attenuation data for a single anatomic section with two x-ray beams, each having a different energy spectrum.
These CT systems rapidly switch between or alternate kVp settings during data acquisition, allowing for improved contrast between substances of differing densities.
Dual-Source CT
CT system that consists of two seperate x-ray tubes and detector arrays mounted 90 degrees from each other within the gantry, allowing for dual-energy CT aquisition.
Edge Gradient
streak artifact that occurs at the interface between a high-density object and the lower-attenuation material surrounding it.
Effective Dose
approximation of the relative risk from exposure to ionizing radiation; is calculated by assigning weighting factors to different tissues on the basis of their individual radiosensitivities. (measured in Sieverts (Sv)
Effective mAs
the calculated mAs per acquired slice with a multislice CT (MSCT) system.
Effective Section Width
the slice sensitivity profile (SSP) of the reconstructed CT section. It is measured at the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the SSP for a given CT acquisition.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
a graphical representation of the electrical activity of the heart recorded over time through electrodes placed on the patient’s skin.
Electron Beam CT (EBCT)
specialized CT design devoid of moving parts. Utilizes a beam of electrons bombarding a tungsten target to produce x-radiation. EBCT systems are capable of extremely short exposure times and have their greatest application in cardiac imaging
Equilibrium Phase
contrast phase of the liver when hepatic parenchymal ehancement dissipates and there is minimal attenuation differenes between the intravascular and extravascualr spaces. Usually occurs at 2-3 minutes after the initiation of contrast agent administration.
Excretory Phase
a delayed imaging renal enhancement that begins approximately 3 minutes after the initiation of contrast agent administration. Contrast material has been excreted into the renal calyces, opacifying the renal pelvis and the remainder of the urinary collecting system (ureters, bladder)
Exposure
The ability of x-rays to ionize a volume of air (measured in roentgens R)
Extravasation
escape of contrast material outside the blood vessel into the surrounding soft tissue
Fan Angle
angle of coverage by the x-ray beam as it emerges from the tube housing and exposes the detector array within the scan plane (x-y axis)
Feldkamp-Davis-Kress (FDK) Algortihm
Cone beam correction algorithm utilized to overcome potential attenuation calculation errors from the divergent beam of MSCT systems
Filtered Back Projection
the mathematical process of CT image reconstruction that involves convolution of the raw data prior to their projection back onto a matrix.
Filtration
Removal of the low-energy x-ray photons emitted from the x-ray tube to improve beam quality and reduce patient dose
Flat-Panel Detector
large-area detector consisting of a film of scintillating crystals bonded to a matrix of silicon photosensors. may be used in place of the segmented detector rows found in MDCT systems.