Computed multiplanar reconstructions of the thorax using thin transverse-axial slices. A preliminary study.

By reducing cut thickness to 3 mm, spatial resolution of transverse axial and reformatted images of the thorax is markedly improved at the cost of slightly decreased contrast resolution as compared to standard 9 mm CT pictures when using the same dose. Reformatte4d CT pictures of the thorax in coronal sagittal and oblique planes made from thin slices offer a unique way of studying normal and pathological anatomy in vivo. It is further concluded that, although with present reconstruction times this method is as yet not suited for routine use, it might prove to be useful in investigations where high spatial resolution is of prime importance.