title: Measurements of the partial volume phenomenon.
abstract: The partial volume phenomenon can produce subtle changes in the reconstructed value of the linear attenuation coefficient which may in turn make the detection of an object more difficult. A model for studying the effects of the partial volume phenomenon is presented along with measurements made on the General Electric CT/T whole body scanner. The results of these measurements indicate that small differences in the linear attenuation coefficient may go unnoticed when the video display format is used exclusively to evaluate the CT image. It is suggested that this display format incorporate profiles of the CT numbers to assist the viewer in the evaluation of the CT scans.
mesh_terms: D003626:Data Display; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*