Which scanning method is also known as sequential scanning?

The term "sequential scanning" refers specifically to the process of obtaining images by collecting data one slice at a time, rather than continuously. Axial scanning accomplishes this by moving the patient in fixed increments through the gantry of the CT scanner. As a result, images are created for each individual slice, leading to a series of discrete images that can be analyzed.

In contrast, helical scanning, also known as spiral scanning, involves the continuous movement of the patient through the gantry while the X-ray beam rotates around them. This results in a continuous volume of data being acquired, creating a more efficient scanning process but fundamentally different from the sequential approach.

Volume scanning is akin to helical scanning in that it also captures data in a continuous manner, allowing for the reconstruction of 3D images. Therefore, the classification of axial scanning as sequential scanning is due to its step-by-step imaging technique, which differentiates it from the other methods.