What causes helical and cone beam artifacts in imaging?

Helical and cone beam artifacts in imaging primarily occur due to interpolation issues. In computed tomography (CT), interpolation refers to the mathematical process used to reconstruct images from the raw data that is collected. When the data is acquired in a helical (spiral) fashion or using cone beam techniques, the system must accurately calculate the pixel values based on the collected projections. If there are inconsistencies in the data (such as gaps caused by missing projections or incorrect assumptions made during reconstruction), interpolation issues can arise, leading to artifacts that degrade the quality of the images.

These artifacts may manifest as streaks, bands, or distortions in the images, which can interfere with accurate diagnosis. Careful calibration, quality control measures, and the use of advanced algorithms can help mitigate these issues, ensuring that the reconstructed images are as clear and free from artifacts as possible.

Understanding that patient movement, inconsistent positioning, and radiologist interpretation errors can also lead to issues in imaging, they do not specifically relate to the unique characteristics and causes of helical and cone beam artifacts, making interpolation issues the more precise answer for this context.