Template:Short description Template:Cs1 config Template:About Template:Good article Template:Infobox medical interventionA computed tomography scan (CT scan), formerly called computed axial tomography scan (CAT scan), is a medical imaging technique used to obtain detailed internal images of the body.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> The personnel that perform CT scans are called radiographers or radiology technologists.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
CT scanners use a rotating X-ray tube and a row of detectors placed in a gantry to measure X-ray attenuations by different tissues inside the body. The multiple X-ray measurements taken from different angles are then processed on a computer using tomographic reconstruction algorithms to produce tomographic (cross-sectional) images (virtual "slices") of a body. CT scans can be used in patients with metallic implants or pacemakers, for whom magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is contraindicated.
Since its development in the 1970s, CT scanning has proven to be a versatile imaging technique. While CT is most prominently used in medical diagnosis, it can also be used to form images of non-living objects. The 1979 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded jointly to South African-American physicist Allan MacLeod Cormack and British electrical engineer Godfrey Hounsfield "for the development of computer-assisted tomography".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
TypesEdit
On the basis of image acquisition and procedures, various type of scanners are available in the market.
Sequential CTEdit
Sequential CT, also known as step-and-shoot CT, is a type of scanning method in which the CT table moves stepwise. The table increments to a particular location and then stops which is followed by the X-ray tube rotation and acquisition of a slice. The table then increments again, and another slice is taken. The table movement stops while taking slices. This results in an increased time of scanning.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Spiral CTEdit
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Spinning tube, commonly called spiral CT, or helical CT, is an imaging technique in which an entire X-ray tube is spun around the central axis of the area being scanned. These are the dominant type of scanners on the market because they have been manufactured longer and offer a lower cost of production and purchase. The main limitation of this type of CT is the bulk and inertia of the equipment (X-ray tube assembly and detector array on the opposite side of the circle) which limits the speed at which the equipment can spin. Some designs use two X-ray sources and detector arrays offset by an angle, as a technique to improve temporal resolution.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Electron beam tomographyEdit
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Electron beam tomography (EBT) is a specific form of CT in which a large enough X-ray tube is constructed so that only the path of the electrons, travelling between the cathode and anode of the X-ray tube, are spun using deflection coils.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> This type had a major advantage since sweep speeds can be much faster, allowing for less blurry imaging of moving structures, such as the heart and arteries.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Fewer scanners of this design have been produced when compared with spinning tube types, mainly due to the higher cost associated with building a much larger X-ray tube and detector array and limited anatomical coverage.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Dual energy CTEdit
Dual energy CT, also known as spectral CT, is an advancement of computed Tomography in which two energies are used to create two sets of data.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> A dual energy CT may employ dual source, single source with dual detector layer, single source with energy switching methods to get two different sets of data.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
- Dual source CT is an advanced scanner with a two X-ray tube detector system, unlike conventional single tube systems.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> These two detector systems are mounted on a single gantry at 90° in the same plane.<ref name="auto1">Template:Cite book</ref> Dual source CT scanners allow fast scanning with higher temporal resolution by acquiring a full CT slice in only half a rotation. Fast imaging reduces motion blurring at high heart rates and potentially allowing for shorter breath-hold time. This is particularly useful for ill patients having difficulty holding their breath or unable to take heart-rate lowering medication.<ref name="auto1"/><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
- Single source with energy switching is another mode of dual energy CT in which a single tube is operated at two different energies by switching the energies frequently.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
CT perfusion imagingEdit
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CT perfusion imaging is a specific form of CT to assess flow through blood vessels whilst injecting a contrast agent.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite journal</ref> Blood flow, blood transit time, and organ blood volume, can all be calculated with reasonable sensitivity and specificity.<ref name=":0" /> This type of CT may be used on the heart, although sensitivity and specificity for detecting abnormalities are still lower than for other forms of CT.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> This may also be used on the brain, where CT perfusion imaging can often detect poor brain perfusion well before it is detected using a conventional spiral CT scan.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">Template:Cite journal</ref> This is better for stroke diagnosis than other CT types.<ref name=":1" />
PET CTEdit
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Positron emission tomography–computed tomography is a hybrid CT modality which combines, in a single gantry, a positron emission tomography (PET) scanner and an X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanner, to acquire sequential images from both devices in the same session, which are combined into a single superposed (co-registered) image. Thus, functional imaging obtained by PET, which depicts the spatial distribution of metabolic or biochemical activity in the body can be more precisely aligned or correlated with anatomic imaging obtained by CT scanning.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
PET-CT gives both anatomical and functional details of an organ under examination and is helpful in detecting different type of cancers.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Medical useEdit
Since its introduction in the 1970s,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> CT has become an important tool in medical imaging to supplement conventional X-ray imaging and medical ultrasonography. It has more recently been used for preventive medicine or screening for disease, for example, CT colonography for people with a high risk of colon cancer, or full-motion heart scans for people with a high risk of heart disease. Several institutions offer full-body scans for the general population although this practice goes against the advice and official position of many professional organizations in the field primarily due to the radiation dose applied.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The use of CT scans has increased dramatically over the last two decades in many countries.<ref name="Smith2009">Template:Cite journal</ref> An estimated 72 million scans were performed in the United States in 2007 and more than 80 million in 2015.<ref name="Berrington2009">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
HeadEdit
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CT scanning of the head is typically used to detect infarction (stroke), tumors, calcifications, haemorrhage, and bone trauma.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Of the above, hypodense (dark) structures can indicate edema and infarction, hyperdense (bright) structures indicate calcifications and haemorrhage and bone trauma can be seen as disjunction in bone windows. Tumors can be detected by the swelling and anatomical distortion they cause, or by surrounding edema. CT scanning of the head is also used in CT-guided stereotactic surgery and radiosurgery for treatment of intracranial tumors, arteriovenous malformations, and other surgically treatable conditions using a device known as the N-localizer.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
NeckEdit
Contrast CT is generally the initial study of choice for neck masses in adults.<ref name="UpToDate">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }} This topic last updated: Dec 04, 2017.</ref> CT of the thyroid plays an important role in the evaluation of thyroid cancer.<ref name="Saeedan2016">Template:Cite journal</ref> CT scan often incidentally finds thyroid abnormalities, and so is often the preferred investigation modality for thyroid abnormalities.<ref name="Saeedan2016" />
LungsEdit
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} A CT scan can be used for detecting both acute and chronic changes in the lung parenchyma, the tissue of the lungs.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> It is particularly relevant here because normal two-dimensional X-rays do not show such defects. A variety of techniques are used, depending on the suspected abnormality. For evaluation of chronic interstitial processes such as emphysema, and fibrosis,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> thin sections with high spatial frequency reconstructions are used; often scans are performed both on inspiration and expiration. This special technique is called high resolution CT that produces a sampling of the lung, and not continuous images.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
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Bronchial wall thickening can be seen on lung CTs and generally (but not always) implies inflammation of the bronchi.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
An incidentally found nodule in the absence of symptoms (sometimes referred to as an incidentaloma) may raise concerns that it might represent a tumor, either benign or malignant.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Perhaps persuaded by fear, patients and doctors sometimes agree to an intensive schedule of CT scans, sometimes up to every three months and beyond the recommended guidelines, in an attempt to do surveillance on the nodules.<ref name="ACCPandATSfive">Template:Citation, which cites
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- Template:Cite journal</ref> However, established guidelines advise that patients without a prior history of cancer and whose solid nodules have not grown over a two-year period are unlikely to have any malignant cancer.<ref name="ACCPandATSfive" /> For this reason, and because no research provides supporting evidence that intensive surveillance gives better outcomes, and because of risks associated with having CT scans, patients should not receive CT screening in excess of those recommended by established guidelines.<ref name="ACCPandATSfive" />
AngiographyEdit
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Computed tomography angiography (CTA) is a type of contrast CT to visualize the arteries and veins throughout the body.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> This ranges from arteries serving the brain to those bringing blood to the lungs, kidneys, arms and legs. An example of this type of exam is CT pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) used to diagnose pulmonary embolism (PE). It employs computed tomography and an iodine-based contrast agent to obtain an image of the pulmonary arteries.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> CT scans can reduce the risk of angiography by providing clinicians with more information about the positioning and number of clots prior to the procedure.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
CardiacEdit
A CT scan of the heart is performed to gain knowledge about cardiac or coronary anatomy.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Traditionally, cardiac CT scans are used to detect, diagnose, or follow up coronary artery disease.<ref name="Wichmann">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> More recently CT has played a key role in the fast-evolving field of transcatheter structural heart interventions, more specifically in the transcatheter repair and replacement of heart valves.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
The main forms of cardiac CT scanning are:
- Coronary CT angiography (CCTA): the use of CT to assess the coronary arteries of the heart. The subject receives an intravenous injection of radiocontrast, and then the heart is scanned using a high-speed CT scanner, allowing radiologists to assess the extent of occlusion in the coronary arteries, usually to diagnose coronary artery disease.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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- Coronary CT calcium scan: also used for the assessment of severity of coronary artery disease. Specifically, it looks for calcium deposits in the coronary arteries that can narrow arteries and increase the risk of a heart attack.<ref name="mayo">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref> A typical coronary CT calcium scan is done without the use of radiocontrast, but it can possibly be done from contrast-enhanced images as well.<ref name="van der BijlJoemai2010">Template:Cite journal</ref>
To better visualize the anatomy, post-processing of the images is common.<ref name="Wichmann" /> Most common are multiplanar reconstructions (MPR) and volume rendering. For more complex anatomies and procedures, such as heart valve interventions, a true 3D reconstruction or a 3D print is created based on these CT images to gain a deeper understanding.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Abdomen and pelvisEdit
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} CT is an accurate technique for diagnosis of abdominal diseases like Crohn's disease,<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> GIT bleeding, and diagnosis and staging of cancer, as well as follow-up after cancer treatment to assess response.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> It is commonly used to investigate acute abdominal pain.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Non-contrast-enhanced CT scans are the gold standard for diagnosing kidney stone disease.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> They allow clinicians to estimate the size, volume, and density of stones, helping to guide further treatment; with size being especially important in predicting the time to spontaneous passage of a stone.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Axial skeleton and extremitiesEdit
For the axial skeleton and extremities, CT is often used to image complex fractures, especially ones around joints, because of its ability to reconstruct the area of interest in multiple planes. Fractures, ligamentous injuries, and dislocations can easily be recognized with a 0.2 mm resolution.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> With modern dual-energy CT scanners, new areas of use have been established, such as aiding in the diagnosis of gout.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Biomechanical useEdit
CT is used in biomechanics to quickly reveal the geometry, anatomy, density and elastic moduli of biological tissues.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Other usesEdit
Industrial useEdit
Industrial CT scanning (industrial computed tomography) is a process which uses X-ray equipment to produce 3D representations of components both externally and internally. Industrial CT scanning has been used in many areas of industry for internal inspection of components. Some of the key uses for CT scanning have been flaw detection, failure analysis, metrology, assembly analysis, image-based finite element methods<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> and reverse engineering applications. CT scanning is also employed in the imaging and conservation of museum artifacts.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Aviation securityEdit
CT scanning has also found an application in transport security (predominantly airport security) where it is currently used in a materials analysis context for explosives detection CTX (explosive-detection device)<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="jin12securityct">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="jin12securityctprior">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="kisner13securityct">Template:Cite book</ref> and is also under consideration for automated baggage/parcel security scanning using computer vision based object recognition algorithms that target the detection of specific threat items based on 3D appearance (e.g. guns, knives, liquid containers).<ref name="megherbi10baggage">Template:Cite bookTemplate:Dead link</ref><ref name="megherbi12baggage">Template:Cite bookTemplate:Dead link</ref><ref name="flitton13interestpoint">Template:Cite journalTemplate:Dead link</ref> Its usage in airport security pioneered at Shannon Airport in March 2022 has ended the ban on liquids over 100 ml there, a move that Heathrow Airport plans for a full roll-out on 1 December 2022 and the TSA spent $781.2 million on an order for over 1,000 scanners, ready to go live in the summer.
Geological useEdit
X-ray CT is used in geological studies to quickly reveal materials inside a drill core.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Dense minerals such as pyrite and barite appear brighter and less dense components such as clay appear dull in CT images.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Paleontological useEdit
Traditional methods of studying fossils are often destructive, such as the use of thin sections and physical preparation. X-ray CT is used in paleontology to non-destructively visualize fossils in 3D.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> This has many advantages. For example, we can look at fragile structures that might never otherwise be able to be studied. In addition, one can freely move around models of fossils in virtual 3D space to inspect it without damaging the fossil.
Cultural heritage useEdit
X-ray CT and micro-CT can also be used for the conservation and preservation of objects of cultural heritage. For many fragile objects, direct research and observation can be damaging and can degrade the object over time. Using CT scans, conservators and researchers are able to determine the material composition of the objects they are exploring, such as the position of ink along the layers of a scroll, without any additional harm. These scans have been optimal for research focused on the workings of the Antikythera mechanism or the text hidden inside the charred outer layers of the En-Gedi Scroll. However, they are not optimal for every object subject to these kinds of research questions, as there are certain artifacts like the Herculaneum papyri in which the material composition has very little variation along the inside of the object. After scanning these objects, computational methods can be employed to examine the insides of these objects, as was the case with the virtual unwrapping of the En-Gedi scroll and the Herculaneum papyri.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Micro-CT has also proved useful for analyzing more recent artifacts such as still-sealed historic correspondence that employed the technique of letterlocking (complex folding and cuts) that provided a "tamper-evident locking mechanism".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Further examples of use cases in archaeology is imaging the contents of sarcophagi or ceramics.<ref name="archaeological_application" />
Recently, CWI in Amsterdam has collaborated with Rijksmuseum to investigate art object inside details in the framework called IntACT.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Microorganism researchEdit
Varied types of fungus can degrade wood to different degrees, one Belgium research group has been used X-ray CT 3 dimension with sub-micron resolution unveiled fungi can penetrate micropores of 0.6 μm<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> under certain conditions.
Timber sawmillEdit
Sawmills use industrial CT scanners to detect round defects, for instance knots, to improve total value of timber productions. Most sawmills are planning to incorporate this robust detection tool to improve productivity in the long run, however initial investment cost is high.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Interpretation of resultsEdit
PresentationEdit
− Average intensity projection
− Maximum intensity projection
− Thin slice (median plane)
− Volume rendering by high and low threshold for radiodensity
The result of a CT scan is a volume of voxels, which may be presented to a human observer by various methods, which broadly fit into the following categories:
- Slices (of varying thickness). Thin slice is generally regarded as planes representing a thickness of less than 3 mm.<ref name="Goldman2008">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name=":2">Template:Cite journal</ref> Thick slice is generally regarded as planes representing a thickness between 3 mm and 5 mm.<ref name=":2" /><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
- Projection, including maximum intensity projection<ref name="FishmanNey2006">Template:Cite journal</ref> and average intensity projection
- Volume rendering (VR)<ref name="FishmanNey2006" />
Technically, all volume renderings become projections when viewed on a 2-dimensional display, making the distinction between projections and volume renderings a bit vague. The epitomes of volume rendering models feature a mix of for example coloring and shading in order to create realistic and observable representations.<ref name="SilversteinParsad2008">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Two-dimensional CT images are conventionally rendered so that the view is as though looking up at it from the patient's feet.<ref name="auto" /> Hence, the left side of the image is to the patient's right and vice versa, while anterior in the image also is the patient's anterior and vice versa. This left-right interchange corresponds to the view that physicians generally have in reality when positioned in front of patients.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
GrayscaleEdit
Pixels in an image obtained by CT scanning are displayed in terms of relative radiodensity. The pixel itself is displayed according to the mean attenuation of the tissue(s) that it corresponds to on a scale from +3,071 (most attenuating) to −1,024 (least attenuating) on the Hounsfield scale. A pixel is a two dimensional unit based on the matrix size and the field of view. When the CT slice thickness is also factored in, the unit is known as a voxel, which is a three-dimensional unit.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Water has an attenuation of 0 Hounsfield units (HU), while air is −1,000 HU, cancellous bone is typically +400 HU, and cranial bone can reach 2,000 HU.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The attenuation of metallic implants depends on the atomic number of the element used: Titanium usually has an amount of +1000 HU, iron steel can completely block the X-ray and is, therefore, responsible for well-known line-artifacts in computed tomograms. Artifacts are caused by abrupt transitions between low- and high-density materials, which results in data values that exceed the dynamic range of the processing electronics.<ref name="...">Template:Cite book</ref>
WindowingEdit
CT data sets have a very high dynamic range which must be reduced for display or printing. This is typically done via a process of "windowing", which maps a range (the "window") of pixel values to a grayscale ramp. For example, CT images of the brain are commonly viewed with a window extending from 0 HU to 80 HU. Pixel values of 0 and lower, are displayed as black; values of 80 and higher are displayed as white; values within the window are displayed as a gray intensity proportional to position within the window.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The window used for display must be matched to the X-ray density of the object of interest, in order to optimize the visible detail.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Window width and window level parameters are used to control the windowing of a scan.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Multiplanar reconstruction and projectionsTemplate:AnchorEdit
Multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) is the process of converting data from one anatomical plane (usually transverse) to other planes. It can be used for thin slices as well as projections. Multiplanar reconstruction is possible as present CT scanners provide almost isotropic resolution.<ref name="ref3">Template:Cite book</ref>
MPR is used almost in every scan. The spine is frequently examined with it.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> An image of the spine in axial plane can only show one vertebral bone at a time and cannot show its relation with other vertebral bones. By reformatting the data in other planes, visualization of the relative position can be achieved in sagittal and coronal plane.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
New software allows the reconstruction of data in non-orthogonal (oblique) planes, which help in the visualization of organs which are not in orthogonal planes.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> It is better suited for visualization of the anatomical structure of the bronchi as they do not lie orthogonal to the direction of the scan.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Curved-plane reconstruction (or curved planar reformation = CPR) is performed mainly for the evaluation of vessels. This type of reconstruction helps to straighten the bends in a vessel, thereby helping to visualize a whole vessel in a single image or in multiple images. After a vessel has been "straightened", measurements such as cross-sectional area and length can be made. This is helpful in preoperative assessment of a surgical procedure.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
For 2D projections used in radiation therapy for quality assurance and planning of external beam radiotherapy, including digitally reconstructed radiographs, see Beam's eye view.
| Type of projection | Schematic illustration | Examples (10 mm slabs) | Description | Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average intensity projection (AIP) | File:Average intensity projection.gif | File:Coronal average intensity projection CT thorax.gif | The average attenuation of each voxel is displayed. The image will get smoother as slice thickness increases. It will look more and more similar to conventional projectional radiography as slice thickness increases. | Useful for identifying the internal structures of a solid organ or the walls of hollow structures, such as intestines. |
| Maximum intensity projection (MIP) | File:Maximum intensity projection.gif | File:Coronal maximum intensity projection CT thorax.gif | The voxel with the highest attenuation is displayed. Therefore, high-attenuating structures such as blood vessels filled with contrast media are enhanced. | Useful for angiographic studies and identification of pulmonary nodules. |
| Minimum intensity projection (MinIP) | File:Minimum intensity projection.gif | File:Coronal minimum intensity projection CT thorax.gif | The voxel with the lowest attenuation is displayed. Therefore, low-attenuating structures such as air spaces are enhanced. | Useful for assessing the lung parenchyma. |
Template:Anchor Volume renderingEdit
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A threshold value of radiodensity is set by the operator (e.g., a level that corresponds to bone). With the help of edge detection image processing algorithms a 3D model can be constructed from the initial data and displayed on screen. Various thresholds can be used to get multiple models, each anatomical component such as muscle, bone and cartilage can be differentiated on the basis of different colours given to them. However, this mode of operation cannot show interior structures.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Surface rendering is limited technique as it displays only the surfaces that meet a particular threshold density, and which are towards the viewer. However, In volume rendering, transparency, colours and shading are used which makes it easy to present a volume in a single image. For example, Pelvic bones could be displayed as semi-transparent, so that, even viewing at an oblique angle one part of the image does not hide another.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Image qualityEdit
Dose versus image qualityEdit
An important issue within radiology today is how to reduce the radiation dose during CT examinations without compromising the image quality. In general, higher radiation doses result in higher-resolution images,<ref name="Crowther">Template:Cite journal</ref> while lower doses lead to increased image noise and unsharp images. However, increased dosage raises the adverse side effects, including the risk of radiation-induced cancer – a four-phase abdominal CT gives the same radiation dose as 300 chest X-rays.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Several methods that can reduce the exposure to ionizing radiation during a CT scan exist.<ref name="ata">Barkan, O; Weill, J; Averbuch, A; Dekel, S. "Adaptive Compressed Tomography Sensing" Template:Webarchive. In Proceedings of the IEEE Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition 2013 (pp. 2195–2202).</ref>
- New software technology can significantly reduce the required radiation dose. New iterative tomographic reconstruction algorithms (e.g., iterative Sparse Asymptotic Minimum Variance) could offer super-resolution without requiring higher radiation dose.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
- Individualize the examination and adjust the radiation dose to the body type and body organ examined. Different body types and organs require different amounts of radiation.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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- Higher resolution is not always suitable, such as detection of small pulmonary masses.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
ArtifactsEdit
Although images produced by CT are generally faithful representations of the scanned volume, the technique is susceptible to a number of artifacts, such as the following:<ref name="ref1" /><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>Chapters 3 and 5
- Template:Visible anchor
- Streaks are often seen around materials that block most X-rays, such as metal or bone. Numerous factors contribute to these streaks: under sampling, photon starvation, motion, beam hardening, and Compton scatter. This type of artifact commonly occurs in the posterior fossa of the brain, or if there are metal implants. The streaks can be reduced using newer reconstruction techniques.<ref name="P. Jin and C. A. Bouman and K. D. Sauer 2013">Template:Cite journal</ref> Approaches such as metal artifact reduction (MAR) can also reduce this artifact.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="mouton13survey">Template:Cite journalTemplate:Dead link</ref> MAR techniques include spectral imaging, where CT images are taken with photons of different energy levels, and then synthesized into monochromatic images with special software such as GSI (Gemstone Spectral Imaging).<ref name="PessisCampagna2013">Template:Cite journal</ref>
- Partial volume effect
- This appears as "blurring" of edges. It is due to the scanner being unable to differentiate between a small amount of high-density material (e.g., bone) and a larger amount of lower density (e.g., cartilage).<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The reconstruction assumes that the X-ray attenuation within each voxel is homogeneous; this may not be the case at sharp edges. This is most commonly seen in the z-direction (craniocaudal direction), due to the conventional use of highly anisotropic voxels, which have a much lower out-of-plane resolution, than in-plane resolution. This can be partially overcome by scanning using thinner slices, or an isotropic acquisition on a modern scanner.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
- Ring artifact
- Probably the most common mechanical artifact, the image of one or many "rings" appears within an image. They are usually caused by the variations in the response from individual elements in a two dimensional X-ray detector due to defect or miscalibration.<ref name="Jha">Template:Cite journal</ref> Ring artifacts can largely be reduced by intensity normalization, also referred to as flat field correction.<ref name="vvn15">Template:Cite journal</ref> Remaining rings can be suppressed by a transformation to polar space, where they become linear stripes.<ref name="Jha" /> A comparative evaluation of ring artefact reduction on X-ray tomography images showed that the method of Sijbers and Postnov can effectively suppress ring artefacts.<ref name="jsap">Template:Cite journal</ref>
- Noise
- This appears as grain on the image and is caused by a low signal to noise ratio. This occurs more commonly when a thin slice thickness is used. It can also occur when the power supplied to the X-ray tube is insufficient to penetrate the anatomy.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
- Windmill
- Streaking appearances can occur when the detectors intersect the reconstruction plane. This can be reduced with filters or a reduction in pitch.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
- Beam hardening
- This can give a "cupped appearance" when grayscale is visualized as height. It occurs because conventional sources, like X-ray tubes emit a polychromatic spectrum. Photons of higher photon energy levels are typically attenuated less. Because of this, the mean energy of the spectrum increases when passing the object, often described as getting "harder". This leads to an effect increasingly underestimating material thickness, if not corrected. Many algorithms exist to correct for this artifact. They can be divided into mono- and multi-material methods.<ref name="P. Jin and C. A. Bouman and K. D. Sauer 2013" /><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
AdvantagesEdit
CT scanning has several advantages over traditional two-dimensional medical radiography. First, CT eliminates the superimposition of images of structures outside the area of interest.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Second, CT scans have greater image resolution, enabling examination of finer details. CT can distinguish between tissues that differ in radiographic density by 1% or less.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Third, CT scanning enables multiplanar reformatted imaging: scan data can be visualized in the transverse (or axial), coronal, or sagittal plane, depending on the diagnostic task.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
The improved resolution of CT has permitted the development of new investigations. For example, CT angiography avoids the invasive insertion of a catheter. CT scanning can perform a virtual colonoscopy with greater accuracy and less discomfort for the patient than a traditional colonoscopy.<ref name="Heiken">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="pmid16106357">Template:Cite journal</ref> Virtual colonography is far more accurate than a barium enema for detection of tumors and uses a lower radiation dose.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
CT is a moderate-to-high radiation diagnostic technique. The radiation dose for a particular examination depends on multiple factors: volume scanned, patient build, number and type of scan protocol, and desired resolution and image quality.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Two helical CT scanning parameters, tube current and pitch, can be adjusted easily and have a profound effect on radiation. CT scanning is more accurate than two-dimensional radiographs in evaluating anterior interbody fusion, although they may still over-read the extent of fusion.<ref>Brian R. Subach M.D., F.A.C.S et al."Reliability and accuracy of fine-cut computed tomography scans to determine the status of anterior interbody fusions with metallic cages" Template:Webarchive</ref>
Adverse effectsEdit
CancerEdit
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} The radiation used in CT scans can damage body cells, including DNA molecules, which can lead to radiation-induced cancer.<ref name="Brenner2007">Template:Cite journal</ref> The radiation doses received from CT scans is variable. Compared to the lowest dose X-ray techniques, CT scans can have 100 to 1,000 times higher dose than conventional X-rays.<ref name="Redberg">Redberg, Rita F., and Smith-Bindman, Rebecca. "We Are Giving Ourselves Cancer" Template:Webarchive, New York Times, January 30, 2014</ref> However, a lumbar spine X-ray has a similar dose as a head CT.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Articles in the media often exaggerate the relative dose of CT by comparing the lowest-dose X-ray techniques (chest X-ray) with the highest-dose CT techniques. In general, a routine abdominal CT has a radiation dose similar to three years of average background radiation.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Large scale population-based studies have consistently demonstrated that low dose radiation from CT scans has impacts on cancer incidence in a variety of cancers.<ref name="MathewsForsythe2013">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="pearce_ctscans">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="meulepas2019">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="berrington2016">Template:Cite journal</ref> For example, in a large population-based Australian cohort it was found that up to 3.7% of brain cancers were caused by CT scan radiation.<ref name="nrsCT1">Template:Cite journal</ref> Some experts project that in the future, between three and five percent of all cancers would result from medical imaging.<ref name="Redberg" /> An Australian study of 10.9 million people reported that the increased incidence of cancer after CT scan exposure in this cohort was mostly due to irradiation. In this group, one in every 1,800 CT scans was followed by an excess cancer. If the lifetime risk of developing cancer is 40% then the absolute risk rises to 40.05% after a CT. The risks of CT scan radiation are especially important in patients undergoing recurrent CT scans within a short time span of one to five years.<ref name="SasieniShelton2011">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Patients undergoing recurrent CT sc">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Multinational data on cumulative ra">Template:Cite journal</ref>
Some experts note that CT scans are known to be "overused," and "there is distressingly little evidence of better health outcomes associated with the current high rate of scans."<ref name="Redberg" /> On the other hand, a recent paper analyzing the data of patients who received high cumulative doses showed a high degree of appropriate use.<ref name="Patients undergoing recurrent CT ex">Template:Cite journal</ref> This creates an important issue of cancer risk to these patients. Moreover, a highly significant finding that was previously unreported is that some patients received >100 mSv dose from CT scans in a single day,<ref name="Patients undergoing recurrent CT sc" /> which counteracts existing criticisms some investigators may have on the effects of protracted versus acute exposure.
There are contrarian views and the debate is ongoing. Some studies have shown that publications indicating an increased risk of cancer from typical doses of body CT scans are plagued with serious methodological limitations and several highly improbable results,<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> concluding that no evidence indicates such low doses cause any long-term harm.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> One study estimated that as many as 0.4% of cancers in the United States resulted from CT scans, and that this may have increased to as much as 1.5 to 2% based on the rate of CT use in 2007.<ref name="Brenner2007" /> Others dispute this estimate,<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> as there is no consensus that the low levels of radiation used in CT scans cause damage. Lower radiation doses are used in many cases, such as in the investigation of renal colic.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
A person's age plays a significant role in the subsequent risk of cancer.<ref name="Furlow2010" /> Estimated lifetime cancer mortality risks from an abdominal CT of a one-year-old is 0.1%, or 1:1000 scans.<ref name="Furlow2010" /> The risk for someone who is 40 years old is half that of someone who is 20 years old with substantially less risk in the elderly.<ref name="Furlow2010" /> The International Commission on Radiological Protection estimates that the risk to a fetus being exposed to 10 mGy (a unit of radiation exposure) increases the rate of cancer before 20 years of age from 0.03% to 0.04% (for reference a CT pulmonary angiogram exposes a fetus to 4 mGy).<ref name="Risk2011" /> A 2012 review did not find an association between medical radiation and cancer risk in children noting however the existence of limitations in the evidences over which the review is based.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> CT scans can be performed with different settings for lower exposure in children with most manufacturers of CT scans as of 2007 having this function built in.<ref name="Semelka2007" /> Furthermore, certain conditions can require children to be exposed to multiple CT scans.<ref name="Brenner2007" />
Current recommendations are to inform patients of the risks of CT scanning.<ref name="pmid17646450">Template:Cite journal</ref> However, employees of imaging centers tend not to communicate such risks unless patients ask.<ref>Template:Citation</ref>
Contrast reactionsEdit
Template:Further In the United States half of CT scans are contrast CTs using intravenously injected radiocontrast agents.<ref name="Nam2006" /> The most common reactions from these agents are mild, including nausea, vomiting, and an itching rash. Severe life-threatening reactions may rarely occur.<ref name="Contrast2005">Template:Cite journal</ref> Overall reactions occur in 1 to 3% with nonionic contrast and 4 to 12% of people with ionic contrast.<ref name="Wang2011" /> Skin rashes may appear within a week to 3% of people.<ref name="Contrast2005" />
The old radiocontrast agents caused anaphylaxis in 1% of cases while the newer, low-osmolar agents cause reactions in 0.01–0.04% of cases.<ref name="Contrast2005" /><ref name="Drug01">Template:Cite journal</ref> Death occurs in about 2 to 30 people per 1,000,000 administrations, with newer agents being safer.<ref name="Wang2011">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> There is a higher risk of mortality in those who are female, elderly or in poor health, usually secondary to either anaphylaxis or acute kidney injury.<ref name="Nam2006">Template:Cite journal</ref>
The contrast agent may induce contrast-induced nephropathy.<ref name="Contrast2009">Template:Cite journal</ref> This occurs in 2 to 7% of people who receive these agents, with greater risk in those who have preexisting kidney failure,<ref name="Contrast2009" /> preexisting diabetes, or reduced intravascular volume. People with mild kidney impairment are usually advised to ensure full hydration for several hours before and after the injection. For moderate kidney failure, the use of iodinated contrast should be avoided; this may mean using an alternative technique instead of CT. Those with severe kidney failure requiring dialysis require less strict precautions, as their kidneys have so little function remaining that any further damage would not be noticeable and the dialysis will remove the contrast agent; it is normally recommended, however, to arrange dialysis as soon as possible following contrast administration to minimize any adverse effects of the contrast.
In addition to the use of intravenous contrast, orally administered contrast agents are frequently used when examining the abdomen.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> These are frequently the same as the intravenous contrast agents, merely diluted to approximately 10% of the concentration. However, oral alternatives to iodinated contrast exist, such as very dilute (0.5–1% w/v) barium sulfate suspensions. Dilute barium sulfate has the advantage that it does not cause allergic-type reactions or kidney failure, but cannot be used in patients with suspected bowel perforation or suspected bowel injury, as leakage of barium sulfate from damaged bowel can cause fatal peritonitis.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Side effects from contrast agents, administered intravenously in some CT scans, might impair kidney performance in patients with kidney disease, although this risk is now believed to be lower than previously thought.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Contrast2009" />
Scan doseEdit
| Examination | Typical effective dose (mSv) to the whole body |
Typical absorbed dose (mGy) to the organ in question | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual background radiation | 2.4<ref name="background" /> | 2.4<ref name="background" /> | |
| Chest X-ray | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
0.01–0.15<ref name="crfdr" /> |
| Head CT | 1–2<ref name="Furlow2010" /> | 56<ref name="nrpb2005">Shrimpton, P.C; Miller, H.C; Lewis, M.A; Dunn, M. Doses from Computed Tomography (CT) examinations in the UK – 2003 Review Template:Webarchive</ref> | |
| Screening mammography | 0.4<ref name="Risk2011">Template:Cite journal</ref> | 3<ref name="Brenner2007" /><ref name="crfdr" /> | |
| Abdominal CT | 8<ref name="FDADose" /> | 14<ref name="nrpb2005" /> | |
| Chest CT | 5–7<ref name="Furlow2010" /> | 13<ref name="nrpb2005" /> | |
| CT colonography | 6–11<ref name="Furlow2010" /> | ||
| Chest, abdomen and pelvis CT | 9.9<ref name="nrpb2005" /> | 12<ref name="nrpb2005" /> | |
| Cardiac CT angiogram | 9–12<ref name="Furlow2010" /> | 40–100<ref name="crfdr" /> | |
| Barium enema | 15<ref name="Brenner2007" /> | 15<ref name="crfdr" /> | |
| Neonatal abdominal CT | 20<ref name="Brenner2007" /> | 20<ref name="crfdr" /> | |
| Template:Further | |||
The table reports average radiation exposures; however, there can be a wide variation in radiation doses between similar scan types, where the highest dose could be as much as 22 times higher than the lowest dose.<ref name="Furlow2010" /> A typical plain film X-ray involves radiation dose of 0.01 to 0.15 mGy, while a typical CT can involve 10–20 mGy for specific organs, and can go up to 80 mGy for certain specialized CT scans.<ref name="crfdr">Template:Cite journal</ref>
For purposes of comparison, the world average dose rate from naturally occurring sources of background radiation is 2.4 mSv per year, equal for practical purposes in this application to 2.4 mGy per year.<ref name="background">Template:Cite journal</ref> While there is some variation, most people (99%) received less than 7 mSv per year as background radiation.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Medical imaging as of 2007 accounted for half of the radiation exposure of those in the United States with CT scans making up two thirds of this amount.<ref name="Furlow2010" /> In the United Kingdom it accounts for 15% of radiation exposure.<ref name="Risk2011" /> The average radiation dose from medical sources is ≈0.6 mSv per person globally as of 2007.<ref name="Furlow2010" /> Those in the nuclear industry in the United States are limited to doses of 50 mSv a year and 100 mSv every 5 years.<ref name="Furlow2010" />
Lead is the main material used by radiography personnel for shielding against scattered X-rays.
Radiation dose unitsEdit
The radiation dose reported in the gray or mGy unit is proportional to the amount of energy that the irradiated body part is expected to absorb, and the physical effect (such as DNA double strand breaks) on the cells' chemical bonds by X-ray radiation is proportional to that energy.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
The sievert unit is used in the report of the effective dose. The sievert unit, in the context of CT scans, does not correspond to the actual radiation dose that the scanned body part absorbs but to another radiation dose of another scenario, the whole body absorbing the other radiation dose and the other radiation dose being of a magnitude, estimated to have the same probability to induce cancer as the CT scan.<ref>The Measurement, Reporting, and Management of Radiation Dose in CT Template:Webarchive "It is a single dose parameter that reflects the risk of a nonuniform exposure in terms of an equivalent whole-body exposure."</ref> Thus, as is shown in the table above, the actual radiation that is absorbed by a scanned body part is often much larger than the effective dose suggests. A specific measure, termed the computed tomography dose index (CTDI), is commonly used as an estimate of the radiation absorbed dose for tissue within the scan region, and is automatically computed by medical CT scanners.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
The equivalent dose is the effective dose of a case, in which the whole body would actually absorb the same radiation dose, and the sievert unit is used in its report. In the case of non-uniform radiation, or radiation given to only part of the body, which is common for CT examinations, using the local equivalent dose alone would overstate the biological risks to the entire organism.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Effects of radiationEdit
Template:Further Most adverse health effects of radiation exposure may be grouped in two general categories:
- deterministic effects (harmful tissue reactions) due in large part to the killing/malfunction of cells following high doses;<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
- stochastic effects, i.e., cancer and heritable effects involving either cancer development in exposed individuals owing to mutation of somatic cells or heritable disease in their offspring owing to mutation of reproductive (germ) cells.<ref>Paragraph 55 in: {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }} Ann. ICRP 37 (2-4)</ref>
The added lifetime risk of developing cancer by a single abdominal CT of 8 mSv is estimated to be 0.05%, or 1 one in 2,000.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Because of increased susceptibility of fetuses to radiation exposure, the radiation dosage of a CT scan is an important consideration in the choice of medical imaging in pregnancy.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Citation</ref>
Excess dosesEdit
In October, 2009, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initiated an investigation of brain perfusion CT (PCT) scans, based on radiation burns caused by incorrect settings at one particular facility for this particular type of CT scan. Over 200 patients were exposed to radiation at approximately eight times the expected dose for an 18-month period; over 40% of them lost patches of hair. This event prompted a call for increased CT quality assurance programs. It was noted that "while unnecessary radiation exposure should be avoided, a medically needed CT scan obtained with appropriate acquisition parameter has benefits that outweigh the radiation risks."<ref name="Furlow2010">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Similar problems have been reported at other centers.<ref name="Furlow2010" /> These incidents are believed to be due to human error.<ref name="Furlow2010" />
ProcedureEdit
CT scan procedure varies according to the type of the study and the organ being imaged. The patient lies on the CT table and the centering of the table is done according to the body part. The IV line is established in case of contrast-enhanced CT. After selecting properTemplate:Clarify and rate of contrast from the pressure injector, the scout is taken to localize and plan the scan. Once the plan is selected, the contrast is given. The raw data is processed according to the study and proper windowing is done to make scans easy to diagnose.<ref name="auto2">Template:Cite book</ref>
PreparationEdit
Patient preparation may vary according to the type of scan. The general patient preparation includes.<ref name="auto2"/>
- Signing the informed consent.
- Removal of metallic objects and jewelry from the region of interest.
- Changing to the hospital gown according to hospital protocol.
- Checking of kidney function, especially creatinine and urea levels (in case of CECT).<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
MechanismEdit
T: X-ray tube
D: X-ray detectors
X: X-ray beam
R: Gantry rotation
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Computed tomography operates by using an X-ray generator that rotates around the object; X-ray detectors are positioned on the opposite side of the circle from the X-ray source.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> As the X-rays pass through the patient, they are attenuated differently by various tissues according to the tissue density.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> A visual representation of the raw data obtained is called a sinogram, yet it is not sufficient for interpretation.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Once the scan data has been acquired, the data must be processed using a form of tomographic reconstruction, which produces a series of cross-sectional images.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> These cross-sectional images are made up of small units of pixels or voxels.<ref name="Cardiovascular Computed Tomography">Template:Cite book</ref>
Pixels in an image obtained by CT scanning are displayed in terms of relative radiodensity. The pixel itself is displayed according to the mean attenuation of the tissue(s) that it corresponds to on a scale from +3,071 (most attenuating) to −1,024 (least attenuating) on the Hounsfield scale. A pixel is a two dimensional unit based on the matrix size and the field of view. When the CT slice thickness is also factored in, the unit is known as a voxel, which is a three-dimensional unit.<ref name="Cardiovascular Computed Tomography" />
Water has an attenuation of 0 Hounsfield units (HU), while air is −1,000 HU, cancellous bone is typically +400 HU, and cranial bone can reach 2,000 HU or more (os temporale) and can cause artifacts. The attenuation of metallic implants depends on the atomic number of the element used: Titanium usually has an amount of +1000 HU, iron steel can completely extinguish the X-ray and is, therefore, responsible for well-known line-artifacts in computed tomograms. Artifacts are caused by abrupt transitions between low- and high-density materials, which results in data values that exceed the dynamic range of the processing electronics. Two-dimensional CT images are conventionally rendered so that the view is as though looking up at it from the patient's feet.<ref name="auto">Computerized Tomography chapter Template:Webarchive at University of Connecticut Health Center.</ref> Hence, the left side of the image is to the patient's right and vice versa, while anterior in the image also is the patient's anterior and vice versa. This left-right interchange corresponds to the view that physicians generally have in reality when positioned in front of patients.
Initially, the images generated in CT scans were in the transverse (axial) anatomical plane, perpendicular to the long axis of the body. Modern scanners allow the scan data to be reformatted as images in other planes. Digital geometry processing can generate a three-dimensional image of an object inside the body from a series of two-dimensional radiographic images taken by rotation around a fixed axis.<ref name="ref1">Template:Cite book</ref> These cross-sectional images are widely used for medical diagnosis and therapy.<ref name="urlcomputed tomography – Definition from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
ContrastEdit
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Contrast media used for X-ray CT, as well as for plain film X-ray, are called radiocontrasts. Radiocontrasts for CT are, in general, iodine-based.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> This is useful to highlight structures such as blood vessels that otherwise would be difficult to delineate from their surroundings. Using contrast material can also help to obtain functional information about tissues. Often, images are taken both with and without radiocontrast.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
HistoryEdit
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} The history of X-ray computed tomography goes back to at least 1917 with the mathematical theory of the Radon transform.<ref name="Radon1917">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="pmid 18244009">Template:Cite journal</ref> In October 1963, William H. Oldendorf received a U.S. patent for a "radiant energy apparatus for investigating selected areas of interior objects obscured by dense material".<ref name="Oldendorf1978">Template:Cite journal</ref> The first commercially viable CT scanner was invented by Godfrey Hounsfield in 1972.<ref name="Richmond2004">Template:Cite journal</ref>
It is often claimed that revenues from the sales of The Beatles' records in the 1960s helped fund the development of the first CT scanner at EMI. The first production X-ray CT machines were in fact called EMI scanners.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
EtymologyEdit
The word tomography is derived from the Greek {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} 'slice' and {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} 'to write'.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Computed tomography was originally known as the "EMI scan" as it was developed in the early 1970s at a research branch of EMI, a company best known today for its music and recording business.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> It was later known as computed axial tomography (CAT or CT scan) and body section röntgenography.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
The term CAT scan is no longer in technical use because current CT scans enable for multiplanar reconstructions. This makes CT scan the most appropriate term, which is used by radiologists in common vernacular as well as in textbooks and scientific papers.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
In Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), computed axial tomography was used from 1977 to 1979, but the current indexing explicitly includes X-ray in the title.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The term sinogram was introduced by Paul Edholm and Bertil Jacobson in 1975.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Society and cultureEdit
| CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
Country | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Template:Flagcountry | 111.49 | |
| Template:Flagcountry | 64.35 | |
| Template:Flagcountry | 43.68 | |
| Template:Flagcountry | 42.64 | |
| Template:Flagcountry | 39.72 | |
| Template:Flagcountry | 39.28 | |
| Template:Flagcountry | 39.13 | |
| Template:Flagcountry | 38.18 | |
| Template:Flagcountry | 35.13 | |
| Template:Flagcountry | 34.71 | |
| Template:Flagcountry | 34.22 | |
| Template:Flagcountry | 28.64 | |
| Template:Flagcountry | 24.51 | |
| Template:Flagcountry | 24.27 | |
| Template:Flagcountry | 23.33 | |
| Template:Flagcountry | 19.14 | |
| Template:Flagcountry | 18.59 | |
| Template:Flagcountry | 18.22 | |
| Template:Flagcountry | 17.36 | |
| Template:Flagcountry | 17.28 | |
| Template:Flagcountry | 16.88 | |
| Template:Flagcountry | 16.77 | |
| Template:Flagcountry | 16.69 | |
| Template:Flagcountry | 15.76 | |
| Template:Flagcountry | 15.28 | |
| Template:Flagcountry | 15.00 | |
| Template:Flagcountry | 14.77 | |
| Template:Flagcountry | 13.48 | |
| Template:Flagcountry | 13.00 | |
| Template:Flagcountry | 9.53 | |
| Template:Flagcountry | 9.19 | |
| Template:Flagcountry | 5.83 | |
| Template:Flagcountry | 1.24 |
CampaignsEdit
In response to increased concern by the public and the ongoing progress of best practices, the Alliance for Radiation Safety in Pediatric Imaging was formed within the Society for Pediatric Radiology. In concert with the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, the American College of Radiology and the American Association of Physicists in Medicine, the Society for Pediatric Radiology developed and launched the Image Gently Campaign which is designed to maintain high-quality imaging studies while using the lowest doses and best radiation safety practices available on pediatric patients.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This initiative has been endorsed and applied by a growing list of various professional medical organizations around the world and has received support and assistance from companies that manufacture equipment used in Radiology.
Following upon the success of the Image Gently campaign, the American College of Radiology, the Radiological Society of North America, the American Association of Physicists in Medicine and the American Society of Radiologic Technologists have launched a similar campaign to address this issue in the adult population called Image Wisely.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The World Health Organization and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of the United Nations have also been working in this area and have ongoing projects designed to broaden best practices and lower patient radiation dose.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
PrevalenceEdit
Use of CT has increased dramatically over the last two decades.<ref name="Smith2009" /> An estimated 72 million scans were performed in the United States in 2007,<ref name="Berrington2009" /> accounting for close to half of the total per-capita dose rate from radiologic and nuclear medicine procedures.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Of the CT scans, six to eleven percent are done in children,<ref name="Risk2011" /> an increase of seven to eightfold from 1980.<ref name="Furlow2010" /> Similar increases have been seen in Europe and Asia.<ref name="Furlow2010" /> In Calgary, Canada, 12.1% of people who present to the emergency with an urgent complaint received a CT scan, most commonly either of the head or of the abdomen. The percentage who received CT, however, varied markedly by the emergency physician who saw them from 1.8% to 25%.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> In the emergency department in the United States, CT or MRI imaging is done in 15% of people who present with injuries as of 2007 (up from 6% in 1998).<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
The increased use of CT scans has been the greatest in two fields: screening of adults (screening CT of the lung in smokers, virtual colonoscopy, CT cardiac screening, and whole-body CT in asymptomatic patients) and CT imaging of children. Shortening of the scanning time to around 1 second, eliminating the strict need for the subject to remain still or be sedated, is one of the main reasons for the large increase in the pediatric population (especially for the diagnosis of appendicitis).<ref name="Brenner2007" /> As of 2007, in the United States a proportion of CT scans are performed unnecessarily.<ref name="Semelka2007">Template:Cite journal</ref> Some estimates place this number at 30%.<ref name="Risk2011" /> There are a number of reasons for this including: legal concerns, financial incentives, and desire by the public.<ref name="Semelka2007" /> For example, some healthy people avidly pay to receive full-body CT scans as screening. In that case, it is not at all clear that the benefits outweigh the risks and costs. Deciding whether and how to treat incidentalomas is complex, radiation exposure is not negligible, and the money for the scans involves opportunity cost.<ref name="Semelka2007" />
ManufacturersEdit
Major manufacturers of CT scanning devices and equipment are:<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Template:Flagicon Canon Medical Systems Corporation
- Template:Flagicon Fujifilm Healthcare
- Template:Flagicon GE HealthCare
- Template:Flagicon Neusoft Medical Systems
- Template:Flagicon Philips
- Template:Flagicon Siemens Healthineers
- Template:Flagicon United Imaging
ResearchEdit
Photon-counting computed tomography is a CT technique currently under development.Template:As of? Typical CT scanners use energy integrating detectors; photons are measured as a voltage on a capacitor which is proportional to the X-rays detected. However, this technique is susceptible to noise and other factors which can affect the linearity of the voltage to X-ray intensity relationship.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Photon counting detectors (PCDs) are still affected by noise but it does not change the measured counts of photons. PCDs have several potential advantages, including improving signal (and contrast) to noise ratios, reducing doses, improving spatial resolution, and through use of several energies, distinguishing multiple contrast agents.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> PCDs have only recently become feasible in CT scanners due to improvements in detector technologies that can cope with the volume and rate of data required. As of February 2016, photon counting CT is in use at three sites.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Some early research has found the dose reduction potential of photon counting CT for breast imaging to be very promising.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In view of recent findings of high cumulative doses to patients from recurrent CT scans, there has been a push for scanning technologies and techniques that reduce ionising radiation doses to patients to sub-milliSievert (sub-mSv in the literature) levels during the CT scan process, a goal that has been lingering.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Patients undergoing recurrent CT sc" /><ref name="Multinational data on cumulative ra" /><ref name="Patients undergoing recurrent CT ex" />
See alsoEdit
- Barium sulfate suspension
- Cone beam computed tomography
- Dosimetry
- Tomosynthesis
- Virtopsy
- X-ray microtomography
- Xenon-enhanced CT scanning
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
Template:Sister project Template:Library resources box
- Development of CT imaging
- CT Artefacts—PPT by David Platten
- Template:Cite journal
- Template:Cite journal