title: Reproducibility of multi-slice spiral computed tomography scans: an experimental study.
abstract: In multi-slice spiral computed tomography (CT) images interpolation artifacts are present. The relationship between the x-ray tube rotation angle and these artifacts is demonstrated. A head phantom was repeatedly scanned with a four-slice CT scanner at different pitch values. Two scans, made with identical scan parameters, nearly always have different x-ray tube starting angles. Consequently, artifacts appeared differently and residual artifacts appeared when subtractions were made. We conclude that only if the x-ray tube starting angle is equal for both scans or if a very low pitch is used, images are highly reproducible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Physics, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. m.van.straten@solstitium.net
authors.forename: Marcel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van Straten
authors.forename: Henk W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Venema
authors.forename: Joris
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hartman
authors.forename: Gerard J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: den Heeten
authors.forename: Cornelis A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Grimbergen
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D016477:Artifacts; D006257:Head / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013382:Subtraction Technique; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*