When choosing a CT scanner, the number of slices is only part of the picture
When selecting a CT scanner, many healthcare facility administrators focus first on the number of slices. In fact, this specification is often highlighted in the system’s name: 16-slice, 64-slice, or 128-slice CT scanner.
However, a higher slice count does not automatically mean it is the best choice for your facility. It is important to understand what the number of slices represents, how it affects diagnostic performance, and which system best meets the needs of your imaging center.
What are “slices” in a CT scanner?
As the X-ray tube rotates around the patient, the CT scanner acquires a series of cross-sectional images. The number of slices indicates how many image slices the system can capture during a single rotation.
For example:
- A 16-slice CT scanner captures 16 slices per rotation;
- A 64-slice CT scanner captures 64 slices;
- A 128-slice CT scanner acquires substantially more imaging data within the same amount of time.
The more slices a CT system captures per rotation, the faster the scan and the greater the level of image detail.
How does the number of slices affect diagnostic performance?
Higher image resolution
64-slice and 128-slice CT systems produce high-resolution images, making them particularly valuable for visualizing small blood vessels, early-stage pathology, subtle lesions, and complex anatomical structures.
Faster scan times
Modern multi-slice CT scanners complete examinations in just seconds. This is especially important for trauma patients, emergency imaging, and cardiac and lung examinations, where even slight patient movement can affect image quality.
Fewer motion artifacts
Faster image acquisition reduces the impact of patient movement, resulting in clearer, more reliable diagnostic images.
