CT Technology for Imaging the Thorax: State of the Art

Abstract

We review the basics of CT system design, scan, and image reconstruction techniques, as well as scan protocols for imaging of the thorax with multidetector row CT (MDCT) systems. In addition, we discuss CT systems with wide area detectors and dual-source CT (DSCT). We briefly describe different techniques to reduce the radiation dose in thoracic CT, and we discuss dual energy CT acquisition techniques which have the potential to provide combined functional and morphological information, e.g., to depict local perfusion deficits in the lung parenchyma in patients with pulmonary embolism.