title: Helical CT: clinical performance and imaging strategies.
abstract: For nonelectron beam systems, scan speed and image quality have reached a relative plateau of performance. Helical CT makes rapid coverage of the z axis possible, allowing scanning to occur during the optimal phase of vascular and organ enhancement. With the split breath-hold variable-mode approach, extended helical coverage across multiple anatomic regions is possible. The technique adds flexibility in choice of collimation, milliamperage, and breath-hold interval. It is easily tolerated by patients and reproducible, and the intersegment delays produce less heat loading on the x-ray tube.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, John L. Doyne Hospital, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226.
authors.forename: W D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Foley
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Oneson
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*