In a single detector row system, how can different slice thicknesses be adjusted?

In a single detector row system, different slice thicknesses can be adjusted by adjusting the pre-patient collimation. This adjustment allows for the control of the width of the x-ray beam that is allowed to pass through to the detector. By narrowing or widening the collimation, the thickness of the slices that are ultimately reconstructed can be changed.

When the collimator is set to a narrower width, it produces thinner slices, while a wider setting generates thicker slices. This principle is essential in computed tomography (CT) because the thickness of the slices can impact the quality of the images and the amount of radiation exposure for the patient.

Other methods, such as changing the reconstruction algorithm, can influence image processing after data acquisition but do not directly alter the physical slice thickness at the time of imaging. Adjusting the tube current relates more to the amount of radiation produced rather than slice thickness. Lastly, while patient positioning is important for obtaining optimal images, it does not affect the slice thickness itself.