Imaging large or overweight patients is a technical problem. For computed tomography, this task is easier because of MSHCT. The following alterations in scan parameters canbe made to accommodate these patients because of detector and tube construction:
• Increase mA
• Decrease gantry rotation speed
• Decrease table speed
• Increase kVp
Other techniques useful for large patients:
• 3600 reconstruction algorithm
• smoother filter
• increased slice width
• prospective
• retrospective (from raw data)
• retrospective (from slice data)
Clinical example (right):
Fully diagnostic pulmonary
emboli study in overweight patient
Patient weight: 290lbs Chest circumference: 54 inches Left arm along side of body (arrows)
Radiologynet Tags: MSHCT and large patients
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