CT Simulation Flashcards
what is the most common imaging modality used for radiation therapy treatment planning?
computed tomography (CT)
how are CT images produced?
hint - don’t overthink. Literally think what you sit at and see when doing a CT
by using an x-ray, detectors, and computer
T/F:
computed tomography CT is axial or spiral/helical
TRUE
what does it mean that computed tomography CT is axial spiral/helical?
just means the couch moves as the x-ray tube rotates within the gantry
what unit measures beam quantity?
Milliamperage (mA)
what does “beam quantity” mean?
hint - literally QUANTITY
how many x-rays are produced
an increase in mA leads to what?
an increase in patient dose
what is the CT tube current measured in?
coulomb/sec
slice ______ and the ____ between slices are key factors for generating high-quality digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRRs)
slice thickness, and
space between the slices
what does DRR stand for?
Digitally Reconstructed Radiographs
what should spacing be BETWEEN slices for CT?
hint - lower than __
lower than 5mm
what should slice thickness typically be set to for CT?
hint –> __ - __
2-3 mm
Imaging Terminology -
the following describes what?
“the diameter of the area being scanned”
FOV (Field of View)
Imaging Terminology -
the following describes what?
“area of interest to be scanned”
Scan field of view *our scouts
Imaging Terminology -
the following describes what?
“the number of shades of gray displayed on an image or the contrast of the image”
Window width (WW)
Imaging Terminology -
the following describes what?
“the MEDIAN shade of gray or HU (Hounsfield unit) WITHIN THE window width”
Window level (WL)
a narrow Window Width on a CT would have MORE or LESS contrast?
MORE
what Imaging Terminology changes the image brightness?
window level
an INCREASE in window level creates a BRIGHTER or DARKER image?
Darker image
a DECREASE in window level creates a BRIGHTER or DARKER image?
Brighter image
Imaging Terminology -
the following describes what?
“a value that represents a shade of gray, also known as the HU (Hounsfield unit)”
CT number
CT number can also be called a ___________
Hounsfield unit (HU)
what do CT numbers represent?
the density of different tissues (electron density)
what do CT numbers range from?
hint - negative number to positive number
-1000 to +1000