What process is responsible for converting helical attenuation data into axial sections?

The process responsible for converting helical attenuation data into axial sections is interpolation. In computed tomography, helical scanning produces a continuous data set as the patient moves through the CT scanner while the X-ray tube rotates. However, to reconstruct images in axial sections, this data needs to be transformed correctly.

Interpolation is a mathematical method that estimates intermediate values between known data points. In the context of helical CT data, interpolation helps to align the data collected at various angles and positions, allowing for the accurate reconstruction of images in the axial plane. This ensures that the resultant images represent a precise slice of the anatomy being scanned, providing clarity and maintaining the spatial relationships of the structures.

Understanding interpolation is crucial as it enables the conversion of the helical data into discrete axial images, allowing for effective analysis and diagnosis from the CT scans.