256-slice CT proves its might in stroke imaging

A prototype 256-slice CT unit can perform rapid whole-brain perfusion imaging in stroke patients and may one day compete head to toe with other modalities.

The system, developed by Toshiba, has a wide detector that allows brain imaging in a single rotation at a low radiation dose. Clinical trials are complete, and a commercial system should hit the market by summer 2008, according to Dr. Kazuhiro Katada, a professor of radiology at Fujita Health University in Toyoake. He showed data from 11 stroke patients who underwent 50-second scanning at 80 kV and 80 mA. The 256-slice images offered better visualization of superior parietal lobe lesions and remote effects when compared with conventional CT perfusion. Katada spoke at the 2007 Stanford Multidetector-Row CT Symposium.