Pediatric applications of helical (spiral) CT

By acquiring a volumetric data set helical CT has advanced many established applications of conventional CT. The most important advantages of helical CT over conventional CT are (1) the shorter examination time, which decreases image degradation from motion artifact, even in infants and young children; (2) the capability for retrospective image reconstruction, which decreases image degradation from volume averaging; and (3) improved multiplanar reconstructions. By reducing motion artifacts and partial volume averaging associated with conventional CT scanning, helical CT reduces the number of repeat CT sections and ultimately the radiation exposure. Helical CT also provides the potential for new applications of CT, such as dynamic studies of pulmonary physiology. Continued clinical experience will advance the pediatric applications of helical CT in the evaluation of thoracic, abdominal, and musculoskeletal pathology. Because of its advantages over conventional CT, helical CT has the potential to become the preferred method of CT imaging in children.