Computed Tomography Technologist Practice Exam

Helical CT, also known as spiral CT, minimizes the impact of motion artifacts primarily due to its continuous acquisition of data as the patient moves through the scanner. In helical CT, the X-ray tube rotates around the patient in a spiral motion while the patient table moves simultaneously. This technique creates a continuous volume of data without the need for the traditional sequential, step-wise image acquisition seen in conventional CT.

Because of this continuous nature of data acquisition, helical CT can capture images in a shorter duration, reducing the amount of time the patient must remain still. This is particularly advantageous in scenarios where patient movement, whether due to respiration or involuntary motion, could lead to artifacts and degrade the quality of the images. As a result, helical CT is more effective at producing high-quality images that are less susceptible to motion artifacts, improving diagnostic accuracy.

In contrast, single-slice CT and conventional CT acquire images in a more segmented fashion, which can lead to increased susceptibility to artifacts if the patient moves during the scan. Continuous imaging often refers to a different context in imaging techniques, but it doesn't inherently offer the same benefits against motion artifacts as helical CT does. Thus, helical CT stands out as the optimal choice for minimizing motion artifacts.