What is the effect of using a pitch of less than one on temporal bones CT imaging?

Using a pitch of less than one during CT imaging means that the table moves less than the width of the collimated x-ray beam per rotation of the tube. This results in overlapping slices, where data is collected more densely than in a pitch of one or greater.

Increased spatial resolution is achieved because the more overlapping data allows for finer detail to be captured in the images. This is particularly important in imaging structures like the temporal bones, where small anatomical features need to be visualized clearly and accurately for diagnostic purposes.

While higher spatial resolution improves the ability to differentiate between small structures, it may slightly increase the radiation dose to the patient due to the extra slices taken. However, the primary benefit observed with a pitch of less than one is the enhanced clarity and detail in the images captured, thus emphasizing the importance of spatial resolution in high-resolution imaging scenarios.