ct unit 3 test Flashcards
Determines the quantity of the x-ray energy and this choice of parameter is more flexible and forgiving.
mAs
Determines how much and what section of the collected raw data are to be used to create or display an image.
Changing this factor changes image quality by changing pixel size
Display Field of View
When a CT technologist selects a smaller inappropriately size of this parameter it will cause a reduction in pixel size therfore increasing in image noise.
If selected too small will reduce voxel size
Slice Thickness
The comparison of the image to the actual object being scanned for the means of providing useful information or a diagnosis.
Image Quality
Determines the quality of the beam and determines the beams ability to penetrate a thick dense anatomical part.
Main feature of image quality that can be manipulated.
kVp
A volume element that is determined by height, length, and width.
Voxel
Determines how the data are filtered in the reconstruction process.
Raw data is filtered
Reconstruction algorithm
The CT component that the technologist programs in protocols and scan parameters.
Operator’s console
The distance the table travels between slices during the actual scanning of the patient.
Translation or Rotation
A ratio of the distance the table travels per 360 degree rotation to the total collimated x-ray beam width.
Is usually 1-2 only referred to in helical scanning
Pitch
Determines the area within the gantry for which raw data area is acquired therefore gantry isocenter is very crucial.
Isocenter crucial determines within gantry for which raw data is acquired
Scan Field of View
The ability to differentiate a structure that varies only slightly in density from surrounding structures. CT has superior advantage verses conventional radiography with this ability to distinguish .5 percent paramater variation.
Contrast Resolution
The system’s ablity to resolve, as separate forms, small objects placed together
Isocenter is very crucial for spatial resolution
Spatial Resolution
How rapid the data is acquired and this parameter is controlled by the gantry rotation speed, the number of detector channels in the system and the speed with which the system can record changing signals.
The speed
Temporal Resolution
Occurs in digital imaging and refers to the fact that the relationship between radiation dose and the image quality is less direct than in film screen imaging.
In digital you really can’t see if your image is over or under exposed
Uncoupling effect
Spatial Resolution is also termed as
Detail Resolution
- What operations can the CT Technologist perform at the Operator’s Console?
• Starting or ending, changing of normal protocol scanning parameters, thickness and table increments, windowing and leveling of images as it appears on CRT
- ? Identify the maximum ranges for the kVp and the mA settings.
120-140 kVp
20-800 mAs
- How does the matrix size and display field of view have an effect on pixel size?
When DFOV is kept constant and matrix size is increased, pixel size is reduced
- Identify the common matrix size used in CT.
512x512
- Identify the affects of increasing or decreasing field of view has on the size of the pixel.
How to convert pixel size.
If you decrease the DFOV it improves spatial resolution
(d)= FOV/matrix
How does matrix size effect spatial resolution?
Matrix Size: increased matrix size, improves spatial resolution
How does pixel size effect spatial resolution?
Pixel Size: reduced pixel size = improved spatial resolution
How does focal spot size effect spatial resolution?
) Focal Spot Size: smaller focal spot size= increases spatial resolution
How does pitch effect spatial resolution?
) Pitch: increasing the pitch reduces spatial resolution
How does patient motion effect spatial resolution?
) Patient Motion: reduces spatial resolution
How does slice thickness effect spatial resolution?
) Slice Thickness: thinner slices increase spatial resolution
What is Spatial Resolution?
The ability to resolve as separate forms small objects that are close together