TY - JOUR T1 - Conebeam CT of the Head and Neck, Part 1: Physical Principles JF - American Journal of Neuroradiology JO - Am. J. Neuroradiol. SP - 1088 LP - 1095 DO - 10.3174/ajnr.A1653 VL - 30 IS - 6 AU - A.C. Miracle AU - S.K. Mukherji Y1 - 2009/06/01 UR - http://www.ajnr.org/content/30/6/1088.abstract N2 - SUMMARY:Conebeam x-ray CT (CBCT) is a developing imaging technique designed to provide relatively low-dose high-spatial-resolution visualization of high-contrast structures in the head and neck and other anatomic areas. This first installment in a 2-part review will address the physical principles underlying CBCT imaging as it is used in dedicated head and neck scanners. Concepts related to CBCT acquisition geometry, flat panel detection, and image quality will be explored in detail. Particular emphasis will be placed on technical limitations to low-contrast detectability and radiation dose. Proposed methods of x-ray scatter reduction will also be discussed. ER -