Rad Tech's Guide to Clinical Computed Tomography

Dr. Taylor C. Ward, PhD, RT(R)(CT)(MR)(ARRT), Associate Professor, CT Educational Director, Weber State University, School of Radiologic Sciences, Ogden, Utah. Kendall C. Youngman, MSRS, RT(R)(CT)(MR)(ARRT), Associate Professor, MRI/CT Program Director, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, Arkansas.

• Acknowledgements xiSextion I Patient Care and Safety 11 Assessment 3Obtaining Medical History and Consent 3Medical History 4Consent: Informed Consent 5Monitoring Vital Signs 6Patient Transfers 9Documentation 12Intercommunication Within Healthcare Team 132 Contrast Media Administration 15Screening and Preparation 15Contraindications 16Necessary Lab Values 18Premedication 19Contrast Administration Routes 20Contrast Administration Methods 21Classifications 22Water-Soluble (Iodinated) Properties 23Barium Properties 26Adverse Reactions 27Adverse Reaction Classifications 27Adverse Reaction Categories 28Complications 29Post-Procedure Care 313 Radiation Safety Considerations 33Target Interactions 33Photon Interactions with Matter 34General Units of Radiation Measurement 36CT Radiation Dosimetry (CTDI, DLP, etc.) 36Scan Geometry 38Imaging Parameters to Reduce Patient Exposure 39Technologist Considerations to Reduce Patient Exposure 43National Guidelines and Advocacy Campaigns 46Personnel Protection 47Section II Procedural Protocols 494 Neuroanatomy Imaging Procedures 57General Positioning Considerations for Head 57Equipment Specifications for Head Protocols 57CT Head Without (and with) Contrast 58CT Temporal Bones/ Internal Auditory Canals (IACs) Without (or With) Contrast 61CT Orbits Without (or With) Contrast 63CT Sinuses Without (or With) Contrast 65CT Facial Bones Without (or With) Contrast 67CTA Circle of Willis (COW) 67CTV Dural Sinuses 70CT Brain Perfusion 70General Positioning Considerations for Spine 74Equipment Specifications for Spine Protocols 75Contrast Administration for Spine Imaging 76CT Cervical Spine Without (or With) Contrast 76CT Thoracic Spine Without (or With) Contrast 78CT Lumbar Spine Without (or With) Contrast 795 Musculoskeletal Imaging Procedures 81General Positioning Considerations for Musculoskeletal 81Equipment Specifications for Musculoskeletal Protocols 82Contrast Administration for Musculoskeletal Imaging 83CT Shoulder and/or Scapula Without (or With) Contrast 84CT Elbow Without (or With) Contrast 84CT Hand/Wrist Without (or With) Contrast 87CT Bony Pelvis and/or Hip(s) Without (or With) Contrast 89CT Knee Without (or With) Contrast 89CT Ankle/Foot Without (or With) Contrast 89Additional Considerations for CTA/CTV of Extremities 93CTA/CTV Upper Extremity 94CTA/CTV Lower Extremity 946 Thoracic Imaging Procedures 101General Positioning Considerations for Neck and Chest 101Equipment Specifications for Neck and Chest Protocols 102Contrast Administration for Neck and Chest Imaging 102CT Soft Tissue Neck With (or Without) Contrast 103CTA Neck Carotid Arteries 105CTV Neck Jugular Veins 106CT Chest With (or Without) Contrast 108Low-Dose CT (LDCT) Chest 108High-Resolution CT (HRCT) Chest 111Additional Considerations for CTA/CTV of the Chest 111Coronary Artery Calcium Score 114CT Pulmonary Arteriography (CTPA)/ Pulmonary Embolism (PE) Study 116CTA Chest Thoracic Aorta 118CTV Chest Superior Vena Cava (SVC) 120Coronary CT Angiography (CCTA) 120CTA Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)  1237 Abdomen and Pelvis Imaging Procedures 125General Positioning Considerations for the Abdomen and Pelvis 125Equipment Specification for Abdomen and Pelvis Protocols 126Contrast Administration for Abdomen and Pelvis Imaging 126CT Abdomen/Pelvis with (and/or Without) Contrast 127CT Renal Stone Study 130CT Kidneys (Urogram) 132Additional Considerations for CT Angiography (CTA)/CT Venography (CTV) of the Abdomen and Pelvis 132CTA Abdomen/Pelvis 134CTA GI Bleed 135CT Enterography 137CTV Abdomen/Pelvis 1398 Additional Procedures 141Interventional CT-Guided Procedures 141Coagulation Lab Work 142Imaging Acquisition Methods 142Radiation Considerations 144Indications 144Risks and Complications 146Quality Control (QC) Procedures 147QC Team Members 147QC Testing Frequency 148QC Records 148Action Limits 150QC Phantom Tests and Methods 150Other QC Tests and Measures 155Preventive Maintenance 157Section III Emerging Trends and Future Directions in Clinical Practice 1599 Remote Scanning 161Premise of Remote Scanning 161Personnel Roles and Responsibilities in Remote Scanning 162Professional Society and Organizational Position Statements 164Benefits and Opportunities 166Safety Considerations 167Challenges 167Future of Remote Scanning 16910 Photon-Counting CT and Artificial Intelligence (AI) 171Photon-Counting CT (PCCT) 171Benefits and Opportunities 171Challenges 173Artificial Intelligence (AI) 174Current Practices 174Benefits and Opportunities 178Challenges 180References 183Index 000