Neuroradiology physics review – 1 – Computed Tomography
It’s important for the neuroradiologist to have a basic grasp of physics, particularly in the ways that it may affect image quality. In this video, Dr. Michael Hoch goes through a series of 12 CT cases on physics. Each case is followed by multiple choice questions about that physics principle.
There are a number of ways that physics principles affect images, causing various types of suboptimal images, such as:
- partial volume averaging – when an object only takes up part of a voxel and the resulting output
- patient motion – when patient moves during imaging, degrading image quality and causing image blurring
- streak artifact – when high density material adversely affects CT reconstruction, causing lines across an image
- ring artifact – when a detector fails and causes rings through the image
- contrast staining – when breakdown of the blood brain barrier allows leakage of contrast into the brain
Other key principles discussed include:
- pitch
- computed tomography dose index (CTDI)
- dose length product (DLP)
- pre- and post-patient collimation
- image filtration
The level of this lecture is appropriate for radiology residents, radiology fellows, and trainees in other specialties who would like to review radiology physics. This may be particularly useful when preparing for the American Board of Radiology (ABR) core and certifying exams.