Question

Consider this scenario and answer the question that follows.When reviewing 2.5 mm slices of a CTA abdomen, you see what looks like an embolism. However, when reviewing the 1.25 mm slices the embolism is not visible. This is most likely an error called:

Answer 1

The phenomenon where an embolism appears in larger slice thicknesses but not in thinner CT slices is known as partial volume averaging, an artifact that can lead to misinterpretation of CT images.

Step-by-step explanation:

When reviewing CT scans, the discrepancy between different slice thicknesses and the visibility of potential abnormalities like embolisms can be attributed to an artifact known as partial volume averaging. This happens because a thicker slice incorporates more tissue volume into a single image, potentially causing small structures like an embolism to appear distorted or not visible. On the other hand, thinner slices provide more detailed information and may thus reveal the true nature of the structure, confirming or refuting the presence of an embolism. It is crucial in radiologic evaluation to make sure that suspected findings are consistent across different imaging parameters to prevent misdiagnosis.

.