Effective temporal resolution and image quality of volume scanning in 320-row detector CT.

To measure the effective temporal resolution (eTR) and image quality for three reconstruction modes for non-helical volume scanning in area detector CT. Temporal sensitivity profiles (TSPs) were obtained and the full width of the TSP at half maximum was used as an index of the eTR. Image quality was assessed by image noise and the corrected artifact index. The half reconstruction mode had a higher eTR than the full and automatic patient motion collection (APMC) reconstructions. Compared to full reconstruction, the image noise with APMC and half reconstruction were increased by 16% and 35%. The corrected artifact index was lowest with APMC. The square root of full width at tenth maximum of the TSP showed a high coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.934) for image noise. This study revealed the TSPs and eTRs for non-helical volume scanning in area detector CT. A high eTR resulted in higher image noise.