CT Protocols: (Brain, ENT, Spine, Vascular) - Department of Radiology

8 Revised 7/22/09 (Gentry/Ranallo)
Adult Head: Helical Scan with Angled Axial Reformations (Protocol # 1.2)
Billing: 1. CT Head without, or with, or without and with
2. Contrast if used
Setup: 1. Use this protocol when the head cannot be properly positioned for a routine helical
head scan. Example: when you cannot move the patient’s head into proper position
(trauma, cervical collar, rigid neck).
2. Supine, AP and lateral scouts, no gantry angle
3. Start the scans at C2 and scan through the top of the head
4. Do not send the source images to PACS (Only send the 2D-reformations)
5. Obtain 2D-reformations parallel to a line connecting the infraorbital rim with the
opisthion (see below). Use a sagittal view on Imageworks slightly off midline to
choose proper angle of reconstruction. Start reformations at the bottom of C1 and
go to the top of the head using a 20 cm DFOV.
6. Important: Be certain that dental filling artifact does not extend across the brain on
the helical raw data. If it does, then use the axial mode head protocol instead.
DFOV: Preferred 20 cm (Range 18-22)
Contrast: 1. 150 ml of 240 mg/dl non-ionic contrast @ 0.6 ml/sec (4.2 minutes)
2. Begin scanning as soon as contrast injection is finished
Other Info: 1. 2D-Reformations
a. Axial Soft Tissue: 5 mm thick with an interval of 2.5 mm
b. Axial Bone: 2.5 mm thick with an interval of 1.25 mm