Table 1.

Example technical factor settings for spinal CT. There is large variability in the literature and authoritative suggestions are not possible. For obese patients the mA (and possibly kV) has to be increased, often to the maximal setting. For targeted limited examinations of the lumbar and thoracic spine the cervical presents can be used

	kV	mAs	Detector collimation [mm]	Pitch	Reconstructed slice thickness [mm]
Single-slice CT
Cervical spine	120	240	3	1-1.5	3
Thoracic & lumbar spine	140	280	(3-)5	1-1.5	3
Four-slice CT
Cervical spine	140	200	1	1	1.25-2
Thoracic & lumbar spine	140	300	1-2.5	1-1.5	1.25-2
16-slice CT
Cervical spine	120	330	0.75	0.5	1
Thoracic & lumbar spine	120	380	0.75–1.5	0.5	1–1.5
64-slice CT
Cervical spine	120	330	0.6	0.9	1
Thoracic & lumbar spine	120	380	0.6–1.25	0.9	1–1.5