Computed Tomography Equipment Techniques PDF

Middle Technical University (MTU) College of Health and Medical Techniques -Baghdad Radiological Techniques Department Computed Tomography EquipmentsTechniques Second stage/ 2nd coarse Title: History of Computed Tomography Limitations of conventional radiography Name of the instructor: Lec. Dr. Lamy...

Middle Technical University (MTU) College of Health and Medical Techniques -Baghdad Radiological Techniques Department Computed Tomography EquipmentsTechniques Second stage/ 2nd coarse Title: History of Computed Tomography Limitations of conventional radiography Name of the instructor: Lec. Dr. Lamyaa Fadhil Abdul Hussein Target population: Students of second class 2 Introduction: Computed tomography (CT) is an imaging procedure that uses special x- ray equipment to create detailed pictures, or scans, of areas inside the body. It is also called computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography (CAT). The term tomography comes from the Greek words tomos (a cut, a slice, or a section) and graphein (to write or record). Computed tomography (CT) is noninvasive and produces cross-sectional images of the body. Each cross-sectional bread. These cross-sectional images are used for a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Scientific Content: Limitations of Film-Based Radiography The major shortcoming of radiography is the super- imposition of all structures on the film, which makes it difficult and sometimes impossible to distinguish a particular detail (Fig. ). This is especially true when structures differ only slightly in density, as is often the case with some tumors and their surrounding tissues. Fig. 1: The major shortcoming of radiography is that the superimposition of all structures on the radiograph makes it difficult to discriminate whether the tumor is in the circle, triangle, or square. 3 A second limitation is that radiography is a qualitative rather than quantitative process (Fig. 2). It is difficult to distinguish between a homogeneous object of nonuniform thickness and a heterogeneous object (Fig. 2) (includes bone, soft tissue, and air) of uniform thickness. Figure (2): Radiography is a qualitative rather than quantitative procedure. Two radiographs can appear the same although the two objects, A and B, are entirely different. Limitations of Conventional Tomography The problem of superimposition in radiography can be somewhat overcome by conventional tomography. The most common method of conventional tomography is sometimes referred to as geometric tomography to distinguish it from CT (Fig. 3). 4 When the x-ray tube and film are moved simultaneously in opposite directions, unwanted sections can be blurred while the desired layer or section is kept in focus. The immediate goal of tomography is to eliminate structures above and below the focused section, or the focal plane. However, this is difficult to achieve, and under no circumstances can all unwanted planes be removed. The limitations of tomography include persistent image blurring that cannot be completely removed, degradation of image contrast because of the presence of scattered radiation created by the open geometry of the x-ray beam, and other prob- lems resulting from film-screen combinations. In addition, both radiography and tomography fail to adequately demonstrate slight differences in subject contrast, which are characteristic of soft tissue. Radiographic film is not sensitive enough to resolve these small differences because typical film- screen combinations used today can only discriminate x-ray intensity differences of 5% to 10%. Figure 3: Basic principles of conventional tomography. The x-ray tube and film move simultaneously and in opposite directions to ensure that the desired section of the patient is imaged by blurring out structures above and plane of interest 5 The limitations of radiography and tomography result in the inability of film to image very small differences in tissue contrast. In addition, contrast cannot be adjusted after it has been recorded on the film. Digital imaging modalities such as CT, for example, can alter the contrast to suit the needs of the human observer (radiologists and technologists) by use of various digital image postprocessing techniques. CT scans can be performed on every region of the body for a variety of reasons (e.g., diagnostic, treatment planning, interventional, or screening). The crosssectional images generated during a CT scan can be reformatted in multiple planes, and can even generate three-dimensional images which can be viewed on a computer monitor, printed on film or transferred to electronic media. Although most common in medicine, CT is also used in other fields, such as nondestructive materials testing, to study biological and paleontological specimens. CT differs from the conventional radiography in two sign First, CT forms across-sectional image, eliminating the superimposition of structures onto the two-dimensional recording system. Second, the sensitivity of CT to subtle differences in x-ray attenuation is at least a factor of 10 higher than normally achieved by screenbecause of the virtual elimination of scatter. 6 Figure (5) : Schematic of a CT system Purpose of CT scan CT-scans provide detailed cross-sectional images of various internal structures, for example, internal organs, blood vessels, bones, soft tissue etc., and can be used for: Diagnostic purposesGuidance for specific treatment or further tests- surgeries, biopsies and radiation therapy Detection and monitoring of conditions- Cancer, heart disease, lung nodules, liver masses. Technique Digital geometry processing is used to generate a three-dimensional image of the inside of an object from a large series of two-dimensional X-ray images taken around a single axis of rotation. 7 ( measures between 24-28 inches. The patient lies flat onto the table and can be adjusted upwards, downward, frontwards or backwards to position for imaging. The table moves the patient into the gantry and the x-ray tube rotates around the patient. The scanner gantry contains the rotating portion that holds the X-ray tube generator and the detector array. As x-rays pass through the patient to the detectors, A computer system acquires and performing the necessary calculations to go from measurements to a viewable image. One cross sectional slice of the body is obtained for each complete rotation. Multiple shots are taken as the scanner rotates and these are ca about 1,000 profiles are acquired. A two dimensional image (slice) is formed when a full set of profiles from each rotation that are analyzed by a computer are compiled. 8