Current perspectives on CT technology.

In 2004, the worldwide sales for computed tomography (CT) scanners will be approximately dollars 2.95 billion. Multislice scanning has had a profound effect on radiology and, subsequently, on diagnostic imaging. When planning a purchase for conventional CT imaging, high quality is always a prime consideration. Additionally, it appears to be almost mandatory to purchase a multislice system just to have the security of remaining technologically current, and capable, for the next 5 to 7 years. When buying a multislice system, it is essential to have the appropriate applications and technology--including a picture archiving and communication system (PACS) and workstations--that can handle the proliferation of data associated with new CT systems. Coverage is emerging as the most significant factor (over number of slices and speed) when considering CT technology. Coverage becomes more important when considering studies of organ function over time--such as cardiac function or perfusion of blood in a stroke imaging, etc.--rather than just morphology. A major challenge is the ability of being able to store all the data that result from a scanning procedure. In some cases,this could mean storing literally thousands of images per exam. In that regard, the information technology (IT) environment in the average hospital is not always equipped to handle the intensity of data from a high-end scanner. Cardiac imaging probably represents the greatest impact of CT on diagnostic medicine, while molecular imaging shows the greatest potential for diagnostic imaging, including CT.