Third Panel Discussion The Ideal Head CT Scanner

The idea of this panel originated because of some personal experiences which I am sure have also occurred to other neuroradiologists. These experiences are related to a fundamental change which has occurred in our specialty, i.e., the noncomparability of the devices used for computed tomography (CT). Ten years ago, when neuroradiology studies, e.g., arteriograms, were sent for consultation to a neuroradiologist, there was no need for him to know what type of X-ray equipment had been used for the examination. Neither was it necessary, in most instances, to indicate in a scientific report the type of X-ray machine employed. Nowadays, a certain number of head CT scans are sent to me for consultation from different centers. Regretfully, in a relatively large number of cases, I am not able to offer my assistance due to the fact that I am not totally familiar with the performance characteristics of the machine used to obtain the submitted scans.