title: Thoracic helical CT.
abstract: Helical CT depicts small pulmonary nodules not seen at conventional CT by elimination of respiratory misregistration and thorough analysis of a contiguous data volume. Pulmonary lesions can be analyzed in detail with use of retrospective reconstruction of the data volume. Multiplanar and three-dimensional images of lung masses and arteriovenous malformations are free of motion artifacts. The airways are clearly depicted by helical CT, a capability that enhances the radiologic evaluation of patients with hemoptysis, bronchial strictures, tumors, and recent lung transplantation. In comparison to conventional CT, helical CT provides a more consistent level of vascular enhancement because of the shortened acquisition time. Clinical applications include the detection of central pulmonary thromboemboli and the assessment of aortic aneurysms and dissections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiological Sciences, Deaconess Hospital, Boston, MA 02215.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Costello
mesh_terms: D000792:Angiography; D001982:Bronchial Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D013909:Thorax / Q000098:blood supply; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014133:Tracheal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging