Until recently, CT scanner performance was limited by a series of compromises. With single-detector scanners, one cannot select thin collimation and still maintain the required extent of volumetric coverage. Slow scans cause motion artifacts that impair image quality. The introduction of multidetector CT technology, however, has revolutionized the field. Currently multidetector, multislice CT scanners acquire up to four channels of data from interweaving spirals. The minimum gantry rotation period is as low as half of a second. This increased scan speed allows for thinner collimation and thus higher longitudinal or z-axis resolution in comparison with single-detector CT. The improved image quality with multidetector technology leads to new applications of CT, particularly in cardiac, vascular, and abdominal imaging. On-going clinical studies are evaluating the suitability of this new imaging tool for non-invasive screening and diagnosis of coronary artery disease. A particular advantage to the increased scan speed in vascular imaging is the ability to cut intra venous contrast dosage and still maintain peak enhancement CT throughout the entire acquisition. Thin-section, multiphasic acquisition during optimal arterial-phase and venous-phase enhan cement significantly improves the accuracy for small lesion and vessel detection, and enhances overall classification of abdominal neoplasms. On the other hand, the increasingly large volume data sets force to new ways of looking at, presenting, storing, and trans ferring images. Networking and two- and three dimensional data processing are the key words.

There have been remarkable achievements in CT technology, workflow management and applications in the last couple of years. The introduction of 4- and 16-row multidetector technology has substantially increased acquisition speed and provides nearly isotropic resolution. These new technical possibilities had significant impact on the clinical use of CT and have yielded a broadening of the spectrum of applications, particularly in vascular, cardiac, abdominal, and trauma imaging. This book presents the practical experience of an international expert group of radiologists and physicists with state-of-the-art multidetector-technology. The chapters in this book will facilitate a thorough understanding of 4- and 16-slice multidetector-row CT and its clinical applications. This will help to fully exploit the diagnostic potential of this technology.

Section I:Principles and challenges of MDCT / Introduction-I.1.MDCT:Technical principles and future trends-I.2.Contrast medium administration and scan timing for MDCT Section II:Abdominal imaging / Introduction-II.1.MDCT:Secondary malignancies and benign liver lesions-II.2.Primary liver malignancies-II.3.MDCT of the pancreas-II.4.Abdominal imaging:Use of high concentration contrast media Section III:Cardiac and vascular imaging / Introduction-III.1.Use of high concentration contrast media in CT angiography:Principles and rationale-III.2.Cardiac and vascular imaging:Cardiology indications-III.3.Aorta, peripheral and renal vessels-III.4.MDCT for diagnosis of pulmonary embolism: Have we reached our goal? Section IV:Future prospects in MDCT imaging / Introduction-IV.1.Interventional MDCT-IV.2.Functional CT imaging in stroke and oncology-IV.3.From acquisition to report: managing the information overload-IV.4.Recent update on contrast media safety

Few fields of medicine have witnessed such impressive progress as the diagnosis and treatment of liver tumors. Advances in imaging technology, the development of novel contrast agents, and the introduction of optimized scanning protocols have greatly facilitated the non-invasive detection and characterization of focal liver lesions. Furthermore, image-guided techniques for percutaneous tumor ablation have become an accepted alternative treatment for patients with inoperable liver cancer. This book provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the role of diagnostic and interventional radiology in respect of liver tumors. The volume moves from background sections on methodology and segmental liver anatomy to the main sections on the diagnosis of benign and malignant liver lesions. An integrated approach, focused on the correlation of ultrasound, CT, and MR imaging findings, is presented. Finally, a full section describes the principles, methods, and results of percutaneous tumor ablation techniques.

This book is a comprehensive and richly-illustrated guide to cardiac CT, its current state, applications, and future directions. While the first edition of this text focused on what was then a novel instrument looking for application, this edition comes at a time where a wealth of guideline-driven, robust, and beneficial clinical applications have evolved that are enabled by an enormous and ever growing field of technology. Accordingly, the focus of the text has shifted from a technology-centric to a more patient-centric appraisal. While the specifications and capabilities of the CT system itself remain front and center as the basis for diagnostic success, much of the benefit derived from cardiac CT today comes from avant-garde technologies enabling enhanced visualization, quantitative imaging, and functional assessment, along with exciting deep learning, and artificial intelligence applications. Cardiac CT is no longer a mere tool for non-invasive coronary artery stenosis detection in the chest pain diagnostic algorithms; cardiac CT has proven its value for uses as diverse as personalized cardiovascular risk stratification, prediction, and management, diagnosing lesion-specific ischemia, guiding minimally invasive structural heart disease therapy, and planning cardiovascular surgery, among many others. This second edition is an authoritative guide and reference for both novices and experts in the medical imaging sciences who have an interest in cardiac CT.

With contributions by numerous experts

This book describes current examination techniques and advanced clinical applications of state-of-the-art multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scanners. There are contributions from several distinguished radiologists and clinicians. Each chapter is written from a practical perspective, so that radiologists, residents, medical physicists, and radiology technologists can obtain relevant information about MDCT applications.

This volume highlights and broadens our understanding of the correct use and the possible contraindications of contrast agents applied in radiology. Written by experts in the field, it not only focuses on the chemistry, physiochemical properties and pharmacokinetics of both iodinated and gadolinium-containing contrast agents, but also on the relevant safety issues such as frequency of their short- and long-term side effects and ways to avoid them nephrotoxicity risk related to the iodinated contrast agents NSF (nephrogenic systemic fibrosis) accumulation of gadolinium in the brain use of contrast agents in pediatric patients and pregnancy It also includes essential data on the use of contrast agents, such as scanning protocols, in the context of various clinical conditions. This comprehensive manual addresses all professionals involved in radiological imaging and is an invaluable tool for radiologists and technologists, as well as for residents and clinicians.

An integrated, comprehensive survey of biomedical imaging modalities An important component of the recent expansion in bioengineering is the area of biomedical imaging. This book provides in-depth coverage of the field of biomedical imaging, with particular attention to an engineering viewpoint. Suitable as both a professional reference and as a text for a one-semester course for biomedical engineers or medical technology students, Introduction to Biomedical Imaging covers the fundamentals and applications of four primary medical imaging techniques: magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, and X-ray/computed tomography. Taking an accessible approach that includes any necessary mathematics and transform methods, this book provides rigorous discussions of: The physical principles, instrumental design, data acquisition strategies, image reconstruction techniques, and clinical applications of each modality Recent developments such as multi-slice spiral computed tomography, harmonic and sub-harmonic ultrasonic imaging, multi-slice PET scanning, and functional magnetic resonance imaging General image characteristics such as spatial resolution and signal-to-noise, common to all of the imaging modalities

The fourth edition of this well-received book offers a comprehensive update on recent developments and trends in the clinical and scientific applications of multislice computed tomography. Following an initial section on the most significant current technical aspects and issues, detailed information is provided on a comprehensive range of diagnostic applications. Imaging of the head and neck, the cardiovascular system, the abdomen, and the lungs is covered in depth, describing the application of multislice CT in a variety of tumors and other pathologies. Emerging fields such as pediatric imaging and CT-guided interventions are fully addressed, and emergency CT is also covered. Radiation exposure, dual-energy imaging, contrast enhancement, image postprocessing, CT perfusion imaging, and CT angiography all receive close attention. The new edition has been comprehensively revised and complemented by contributions from highly experienced and well-known authors who offer diverse perspectives, highlighting the possibilities offered by the most modern multidetector CT systems. This book will be particularly useful for general users of CT systems who wish to upgrade and enhance not only their machines but also their knowledge.