What characteristic of the CT scanner may limit the visibility of a small fracture line?

Spatial resolution is crucial for the visibility of small structures in CT imaging, including small fracture lines. It refers to the ability of the CT scanner to distinguish between two closely spaced objects. A scanner with high spatial resolution can produce clearer and more detailed images, allowing for better visualization of fine details like small fractures.

If the spatial resolution is inadequate, small fractures may blend into the surrounding bone or soft tissue, making them difficult or impossible to detect. Factors that can affect spatial resolution include the size and design of the detector elements, the imaging technique used, and the reconstruction algorithms applied to the data.

In contrast, contrast resolution pertains to the scanner's ability to differentiate between varying densities and is more related to the visibility of differences in tissue types rather than the crispness of small structures. Temporal resolution relates to how quickly a CT scanner can acquire images, which is particularly relevant in dynamic imaging studies or studies involving motion, rather than the detection of small details in static images. Linearity concerns the accuracy of the CT numbers in relation to the actual linear attenuation coefficients of the tissues, which does not directly address the ability to resolve small fractures.