HELICAL COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY - TECHNOLOGIC CONSIDERATIONS AND CLINICALPROSPECTS

Helical computed tomography (CT) involves continuous patient shifting during X-ray source rotation and data acquisition. As a result, a volu me data set is obtained in a short period of time. An entire examinati on can be completed in a single breath hold, without additional radiat ion exposure, optimizing enhancement with intraveinous contrast materi al. By overcoming some of the constraints of conventional CT, helical CT has advanced prospects, including multiplanar reconstruction and CT angiography, as reviewed in this article. There are undergoing studie s to confirm these preliminary findings: its clinical applications are currently evolving.