320-slice CT neuroimaging: initial clinical experience and image quality evaluation

Br J Radiol. 2009 Jul;82(979):561-70. doi: 10.1259/bjr/27721218. Epub 2009 Feb 16.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to report initial clinical experience with a 320-slice CT scanner and to perform an image quality evaluation. 26 patients with presumptive cerebrovascular pathology underwent 320-slice CT. Single-rotation CT of the head, incremental CT angiography (three-dimensional (3D) CTA) as well as four-dimensional whole-brain CTA (4D CTA) and whole-brain CT perfusion (CTP) were performed and the resulting images were assessed for quality and compared with those obtained with 64-slice CT protocols. 320-slice CT neuroimaging could be performed in all cases. The image quality of 320-slice CT of the head and 3D CTA was inferior to that of the 64-slice protocols. The image quality of 4D 320-slice CTA was rated as inferior to both 320- and 64-slice 3D CTA. 4D CTA-CTP imaging added information with pivotal clinical implications. 320-slice CT neuroimaging is feasible technique that permits whole-brain 4D imaging and has the potential to identify pathologies with altered haemodynamics. However, image quality is a limitation of this technique at present.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Algorithms
  • Artifacts
  • Cerebral Angiography / methods
  • Cerebral Angiography / standards
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / standards*
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tomography Scanners, X-Ray Computed / standards*