Flat panel CT

Flat panel computed tomography (FPCT), otherwise, know as flat panel volume tomography are multidetector computed tomography scanners that utilize a large area detector rather than a fixed array of detectors .

Flat panels have a significantly wider z-axis area coverage that can cover larger areas in one rotation, rather than be limited to the number of detector arrays it is constrained by the size of the flat panel .

The spatial resolution of an FPCT is notably higher than that of multidetector CT, making it particularly advantageous in the clinical setting of follow-up investigations of endovascular stents and clipped aneurysms. The contrast resolution is not to the same standard as multidetector CT .

Multidetector CT is limited to a fixed angle yet, flat panel CT technology has given way to the C-arm bases flat-panel angiography suites, taking advantage of the wide field of view; and the capacity to be utilized at arbitrary angles. 'C-arm spins' can be used to obtain real-time, dynamic information .

FPCT is versatile, it can demonstrate real-time fluoroscopy with a high spatial resolution, yet scan times can be longer to achieve an optimal signal to noise ratio .