Introduction to Computed Tomography C.

RADIOGRAPHY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY

TWO DIMENSIONAL CROSS-SECTIONAL
Computed Tomography IMAGES IMAGES
SHORT SCALE LONG SCALE CONTRAST
 Tomography comes from the Greek word CONTRAST
“tomos” meaning slice or section and SINGLE IMAGE PER MULTIPLE IMAGES PER
“graphia” meaning describing or recording. EXPOSURE EXPOSURE
SHORTER PROCEDURE LONGER PROCEDURE
 The word computed is generated because TIME TIME
the modality uses a sophisticated LOW RADIATION DOSE HIGH RADIATION DOSE
computerized method to process information LESS EXPENSIVE MORE EXPENSIVE
collected from the passage of xray beams
through an area of anatomy.
MRI vs CT
 Over all computed tomography is a modality
that uses ionizing radiation to acquire and MRI COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY
reconstruct cross-sectional images of the RESONANCE IONIZING RADIATION
human body on the basis of measurements FREQUENCY AND
of attenuation. MAGNET
METAL SENSITIVE NOT METAL SENSITIVE
 To accurately operate the modality, it GREATER DETAIL FOR LESS DETAIL FOR SOFT
requires a firm knowledge of anatomy, in SOFT TISSUE TISSUE
particular the understanding of the location LONGER PROCEDURE SHORTER PROCEDURE
of each organ relative to others TIME TIME
MORE EXPENSIVE LESS EXPENSIVE
Main Advantages of CT LESS COMFORTABLE MORE COMFORTABLE
1. Fast image acquisition
2. Detailed information for diagnosis. ULTRASONOGRAPHY vs CT
3. Capable of imaging a small portion of the
ULTRASONOGRAPHY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY
anatomy or whole body during procedures HIGH FREQUENCY IONIZING RADIATION
SOUND WAVES
Disadvantage
REAL TIME AND CROSS CROSS SECTIONAL
1. Uses Higher dose of ionizing radiation to SECTIONAL IMAGES IMAGES
LIMITED TO SOFT NO ANATOMICAL
generate image slices. TISSUE AND MUSCLES LIMITATIONS
LONGER PROCEDURE SHORTER PROCEDURE
TIME TIME
LESS EXPENSIVE MORE EXPENSIVE
OPERATOR MOTION DEPENDENT
DEPENDENT

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF CT SCANNERS

 Godfrey Hounsfield was funded by the
Electrical and Musical Industries (EMI) then
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY vs CT he developed the first scanner.

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  In October 1, 1971 the Mark 1, a brain  This is affected by the mass density and
scanner was installed in Atkinson Morley atomic number of the structure
Hospital and was labeled as the first CT  There are approximately 4060 gray levels
scanner to perform brain scan. that can be produced in imaging the body.
 The mathematical algorithm that pave the
development of the computed tomography Rotate
was formulated by Alan Cormack.  The entire scanner assembly rotates for the
 The first scanner produces only axial cuts second translation. Superimposition of each
and previously identified as computerized projection is necessary for image
axial tomography (CAT), Computerized reconstruction
Trans axial Tomography (CTAT),
Computerized Reconstruction Tomography FIRST GENERATION
(CRT) and Digital Axial Tomography (DAT). (axial, conventional, or serial scanning)
 The scanners nowadays produces not only  Translate and rotate
axial cuts but other cross sectional slices  1 degree rotation, 180 translations
using reconstruction algorithm. The original  Pencil Beam and single detector (Single
term which is the continuous acquisition image per translation)
scanning is more often known as “spiral”  Scan Time: 5-6 minutes/slice
(Siemens), “helical” (GE Healthcare), or  Dedicated for head scan
“isotropic” (Toshiba) scanning.  To limit effects of scatter radiation: Pre-
 Even the preliminary image produced by shaped rubber (Head cap)
each scanner is termed differently based on  Advantages: Higher resolution
the manufacturer, as a “topogram”  Disadvantages: Slower scan time
(Siemens), “scout” (GE Healthcare), or SECOND GENERATION
“scanogram” (Toshiba). (axial, conventional, or serial scanning)
 Translate and rotate
 5-10 degrees rotation, 18 translation
TERMS TO PONDER:  Fan Beam and Detector array
 Scan Time: 10-90 seconds/slice
Ray describes the x-ray beam path through  Full body scanning
the subject corresponding to each  This generation introduces several scanner
measurements. innovations such as table movement, gantry
View refers to the set of measurements angulation and laser indicator
made during the translation and their  To limit effects of scatter radiation: Bow tie
associated ray filter
 Advantages: Faster scan time compared to
1st generation
 Disadvantages: Slower acquisition

THIRD GENERATION
(axial, conventional, or serial scanning)
 Rotate and rotate
TOMOSYNTHESIS  30-60 degrees, 6-3 scan times
 Fan Beam and curvilinear detector array
Translation/ Sweep  5 minutes whole scan; 1 sec/slice
 To limit effects of scatter radiation: Pre-
 Linear transverse scanning motion of the patient and post-patient collimation
tube and detector across the subject.  Advantages: Better image quality
 Attenuation pattern that is variable to the  Disadvantages: Ring artifacts
intensity of the radiation detected.

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FOURTH GENERATION  Also known as Multidetector-row Computed
(axial, conventional, or serial scanning) Tomography (MDCT) –
 Rotate and stationary  Advantages: Shorter scan duration (0.25
 30-360 degrees seconds – scanning time) and Longer scan
 Fan Beam and circular detector array ranges.
 5 minutes whole scan; 1 sec/slice
 To limit effects of scatter radiation: Pre- TERMS TO PONDER:
patient and post-patient collimation Spatial resolution describes the ability of a
 Advantages: Better image quality due to system to define small objects distinctly.
elimination of ring artifacts Low contrast resolution refers to the ability of
 Disadvantages: Nutation and scatter a system to differentiate objects with similar
radiation thus higher patient dose densities.
FIFTH GENERATION (modern CT) Temporal resolution refers to the speed that
 Stationary and stationary the data can be acquired.
 X-ray beam moves around by steering an Z axis is the thickness of the plane, it
electron beam around x-ray tube anode determines the thickness of the slices.
 For fast imaging. < 100ms/scan X axis is the width
 Designed for cardiac scanning Y axis is the height
 Known as Multi-slice or Electron Beam
Computed Tomography (EBCT)
 Advantages: Fast Scan time
 Disadvantages: Low image quality due to
low mAs values and high equipment cost
SIXTH GENERATION (modern CT)
 Step and shoot
 Continuous rotating tube and detector
system which means continuous data
acquisition and table feed thus, continuous
radiation exposure. –
 Has slip ring technology and electrical
conductor
 Designed for cardiac scanning
 Known as Helical or Spiral Computed
Tomography
 Advantages: Rapid scans
 Disadvantages: Poor temporal resolution
SEVENTH GENERATION (MSCT/MDCT)
 Multi-slice Computed Tomography (MSCT) –
 Composed of multiple detector array (64-128
detectors) in conjunction with helical CT
scanner. –
 It was based on 3rd generation geometry.
The combination of multi-detector row and
the single rotating x-ray tube allows
simultaneous image acquisition thus
producing multiple image slices in a single
rotation. –
 Latest advancement in CT scanner –

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