What is the effect of increasing slice thickness on spatial resolution in CT imaging?

Increasing slice thickness in CT imaging leads to a decrease in spatial resolution. Spatial resolution refers to the ability of the imaging system to distinguish small details, which is crucial for accurate diagnosis and evaluation of structures within the body.

When the slice thickness is increased, the amount of tissue included in each slice also increases. This means that more anatomical structures and varying densities are averaged together within a single pixel, which can obscure small details that a thinner slice would typically resolve. Consequently, the image may appear blurrier, and fine structures may become indistinguishable, which contributes to a reduction in overall spatial resolution.

In contrast, thinner slices provide higher spatial resolution because they capture less volume per slice, allowing for a clearer distinction between adjacent structures. This principle is essential in optimizing CT imaging for various clinical applications, where detail and clarity are critical for diagnosis.