Computed Tomography: Fundamentals, System Technology, Image Quality, Applications, 3rd revised and enlarged Edition

Abstract

This book describes the evolution of computed tomography (CT) over four decades, projects into the future concerning new developments, explains the scientific and technological foundations of the imaging methodology, and provides examples of static and dynamic imaging with computed tomography. It describes the introduction and rapid development of CT in the 1970s, a rather static phase in the 80s, the onset of spiral CT in the 90s with the transition from single-slice scanning to volume scanning using multislice and cone-beam approaches, and the introduction of several innovations in the 2000s including newer detector systems, dual-source CT, and dual-energy scanning. Further developments predicted for the next few years are projected to potentially yield submillisievert scanning. The physics and engineering underlying each phase in the evolution of CT are nicely explained in the book. This book is intended as an explanation of the fundamentals of computed tomography for a wide audience, including but not limited to practicing and student medical physicists and biomedical engineers interested in medical imaging. It is a third and updated edition of a book that has encountered a very receptive audience for its previous editions. The book comes with a DVD of images and applications, video clips, and interactive exercises. The authors have provided considerable basic information in the appendices so that individuals with limited physics and engineering backgrounds can appreciate the book. As mentioned earlier, the book is entirely suitable for medical physicists and biomedical engineers, including students. The book should be required reading in medical physics and biomedical engineering graduate programs educating imaging scientists. Radiologists and radiographers specializing in CT will also find the book interesting and helpful in understanding the principles and evolution of computed tomography. The introduction and development of computed tomography has been a major tipping point in the evolution of medical imaging, and persons interested in this evolution will find the book enlightening. This third edition of Computed Tomography describes the evolution of computed tomography to its current state as an essential tool in medical imaging and image-guided interventional therapy. After a brief historical overview, the book provides a brief introduction to the principles of computed tomography (Chap. 1). Chapter 2 describes the technical concepts of CT in greater detail, Chap. 3 is devoted to spiral CT, and Chap. 4 covers the parameters and influences of image quality in computed tomography. Radiation dose from CT is considered in Chap. 5, together with ways that dose can be reduced by methods such as optimization of imaging protocols and use of technical features such as automatic exposure control and tube current modulation. Chapter 6 is devoted to CT image display, visualization, and diagnosis, and Chap. 7 describes special applications of CT, including cardiac and dual-energy imaging. New developments and projections for the future are covered in Chap. 8. For those interested in the mathematical aspects of image reconstruction, Chap. 9 is devoted to that topic. Appendices include a glossary, abbreviations and symbols, references, and an index. As mentioned earlier, a DVD of images and applications, video clips, and interactive exercises is included with the book. The book is printed on high quality paper and has superb and very informative illustrations. The book is easy to read and comprehend. This is a relatively short but superbly done introductory text on computed tomography. The author is a principal developer of multislice computed tomography and has contributed substantially over many years to CT development. The book should be required reading for graduate students in medical imaging and for biomedical engineering students with principal interests in medical imaging. It can be recommended also for radiologists and radiology residents who have a special interest in the science and technology underlying computed tomography. Radiographers responsible for computed tomography applications may find the book interesting even though the mathematics present in the text may extend beyond their reach. The book is written in a lucid and succinct manner, and the illustrations are excellent. The included DVD greatly enhances the educational value of the book. The ability of the author to explain recent advances and current developments in CT, and to expound on their future clinical importance, makes for interesting reading. The book deserves a wide audience, and one can only hope that it will receive substantial attention. Bill Hendee is Distinguished Professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin, Professor at Marquette University, and Adjunct Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, University of New Mexico, University of Colorado, and Mayo Clinic. He is past president of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine and current editor of Medical Physics.