CTBilder

CTBilder, or CT images, are digital cross-sectional representations produced by computed tomography (CT) scanners. They are created by rotating an X-ray tube and detector array around the patient, collecting attenuation measurements from many angles. Computational reconstruction transforms this data into axial slices that can be viewed individually or assembled into three-dimensional volumes. CT images commonly use Hounsfield units to quantify tissue density, aiding differentiation of bone, soft tissue, air, and contrast-enhanced structures.

Most CT images are stored in the DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) format, which preserves imaging parameters and patient information. They can be viewed on radiology workstations, with reconstructions in axial, sagittal, or coronal planes, as well as on 3D renderings. Contrast agents—typically iodine-based—are frequently used to improve visualization of vessels and organs.

Applications include diagnostic evaluation of head, chest, and abdomen; trauma assessment; cancer staging and treatment planning; and guidance of interventional procedures or radiotherapy. The modality offers fast acquisition, broad availability, and high spatial resolution, particularly for bony structures, while soft-tissue contrast is often inferior to magnetic resonance imaging.

Limitations include exposure to ionizing radiation and susceptibility to artifacts from motion, metal implants, or dense materials. Dose optimization, appropriate indication, and alternative imaging methods help mitigate risks. Advances in CT imaging include dual-energy CT, perfusion studies, and dynamic or multiphase protocols.

Historically, CT imaging was developed in the early 1970s by Godfrey Hounsfield and Allan Cormack, beginning with whole-body scanners that transformed diagnostic radiology. Today, CTBilder support a wide range of clinical decisions and continue to evolve with new hardware and reconstruction techniques.