Flow measurements with a high‐speed computed tomography scanner

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Abstract
A high‐speed computed tomography (CT) scanner with a scan time of 50 ms was used to measure flow in a phantom constructed to simulate both tissue and vessels. After a bolus injection of iodinated contrast medium, the phantom was scanned at a rate of up to 2 images/s. A gamma‐variate curve was fit to the time–density data obtained from the inlet and outlet, as well as from the tissue‐equivalent part of the phantom. Flow was then calculated using different curves and curve parameters according to the Stewart–Hamilton equation, the mean transit time, and a modification of the Sapirstein principle. Actual flow rates were assessed by timed sampling. The results demonstrated that high‐speed CT can measure flow accurately by all these methods. Application of high‐speed CT for flow measurements in experimental animals and patients is, therefore, promising. The limitations of each technique for clinical application are discussed.