Clinical applications of portable CT scanners

Portable Computed Tomography (CT) scanners have revolutionized diagnostic imaging by bringing advanced imaging capabilities directly to the point of care in critical settings such as intensive care units, operating rooms, ambulances, and other resource-limited environments. Integrating portable CT into clinical workflows improves patient outcomes through immediate, on-site imaging, eliminating the risks and delays associated with intra-hospital transportation. These systems are indispensable in critical care, reducing complications and time to diagnosis while enabling timely interventions for life-threatening conditions such as intracranial hemorrhage. Portable CT scanners are also transforming prehospital care, particularly in mobile stroke units, where they facilitate rapid diagnosis and treatment of strokes. This review examines the fundamentals of portable CT technology and its transformative role in various clinical scenarios, such as ICUs and intraoperative imaging. It traces the evolution of CT from stationary energy integrating detector-based systems to portable photon counting detector-based systems, highlighting the advantages of this technological transition. Key benefits include reduced patient complications, enhanced spatial resolution, improved diagnostic accuracy, lower radiation doses, and superior material differentiation, illustrated through clinical examples. As innovation advances in detector design and artificial intelligence, portable CT scanners are expected to grow further, expanding their clinical applications and solidifying their role as essential tools in modern diagnostic radiology.