Unit 4: CT Fundamentals Flashcards
What generation scanners are used for medical imaging purposes in Canada today?
3rd generation
T/F
3rd generation CT scanners have a rotate/rotate motion
True
T/F
3rd generation CT scanners have pencil beam geometry
False; they have fan beam geometry
What type of detector array does 3rd generation CT scanners have?
A curvilinear detector array
What is the primary difference between SDCT and MDCT
SDCT only takes an image of one slice per rotation, where as MDCT can take up to 64 slices in 1 rotation.
T/F
In SDCT the largest allowable slice thickness is less than the detector width.
True
T/F
SDCT is the most widely used compared to MDCT.
False; MDCT
Is it possible to change slice thickness with MDCT?
Yes; depends to the manfacterer
(can also change thickness so that thinner rows are ceen centrally and wider rows peripherally)
What is slice thickness determed by in MDCT?
Determined by a combination of the x ray beam width and the detector configuration
What is the smallest slice thickness seen in MDCT?
.5mm
What the 2 types of scan modes in CT?
- Axial
- Helical
What is the most common scan mode used?
Helical
(axial not really used anymore)
What is the axial scan mode?
Refers to when the CT table moves to the desired location and remains stationary while the x ray tube rotates within the gantry, collecting data. The CT table is then moved further after data is collected.
What is interscan delay?
The slight pause in between data acquisition as the table moves to the next location in axial scan mode
When would axial scan mode be used?
Used in studies where acquisition speed is not of a major concern.
What are the two ways in which axial slices can be obtained?
- Contiguous
- Non Contiguous
What is Cine mode?
With Axial slicing, scanners can be programmed to repeat scans at the same slice location (i.e. no table incremation)
Why are axial protocols that use overlapping slices rare?
They increase the radiation dose to the patient and do not provide additional diagnostic information
What is the primary disadvantage of axial scanning?
The cumulative effect of the pauses (interscan delay) between each data acquisition adds to the total examination time
(time is the disadvantage)
T/F
Data acquired in axial mode are more limited in how they can be reformatted or reconstructed.
True
What is the purpose of interpolation in helical scan mode?
To take the slant and blur out of the helical image
What is pitch?
The ratio of the patient couch movement (during one x ray tube revolution) to the width of the x-ray beam.