How to image from head to pubis for blunt abdominal trauma using GE LightSpeed QX/i

Multislice CT scanners can rapidly produce head-to-pubis images in multitrauma patients. This article summarizes the technical advances that distinguish multislice CT scanners from single-slice helical CT scanners. It is important to understand certain physical principles in order to use this powerful technology to maximum diagnostic advantage while keeping radiation doses at reasonable levels. The CT imaging protocol of our institution is presented along with a discussion of the rationale behind our protocol choices. One of the important advantages in using the total body CT approach is its ability to perform CT angiography of the aorta and multiplanar reformatted images of the spine from a single pass through the torso. Techniques for optimizing reformatted images conclude the article.