CT Protocols
CT
Brain
Brain Plain
Indications
Stroke, trauma, hemorrhage, hydrocephalus, mass evaluation
Patient Position
Supine, head first, neutral position
Scan Range
Foramen magnum to vertex
Slice Thickness
0.5–1.25 mm (reconstruct to 5 mm for review)
kVp/mAs
120 kVp, ~250 mAs (auto mAs allowed)
Reconstruction
Axial soft tissue and bone windows, coronal/sagittal MPR
Contrast
None
Brain Plain & Contrast
Indications
Tumors, infection, vascular lesions
Patient Position
Supine, head first, neutral position
Scan Range
Foramen magnum to vertex
Slice Thickness
0.5–1.25 mm (reconstruct to 5 mm for review)
kVp/mAs
120 kVp, ~250 mAs (auto mAs allowed)
Reconstruction
Axial soft tissue and bone windows, coronal/sagittal MPR
Contrast
IV contrast 1.5 mL/kg (max 100 mL) at 2–3 mL/s, scan ~60–90 s post-injection
Brain Angiogram
Indications
Aneurysms, AVMs, stenosis, vascular injury
Patient Position
Supine
Scan Range
Foramen magnum to vertex
Slice Thickness
≤0.6 mm
kVp/mAs
120 kVp, auto mAs
Reconstruction
MIP, MPR, and 3D VR of arterial phase
Contrast
70–90 mL contrast at 4–5 mL/s with bolus tracking at circle of Willis
Head & Neck
Head & Neck Angio
Indications
Carotid stenosis, dissection, trauma
Patient Position
Supine
Scan Range
Aortic arch to vertex
Slice Thickness
≤0.6 mm
kVp/mAs
120 kVp, auto mAs
Reconstruction
MIP, curved planar reformats, and 3D VR
Contrast
80–100 mL contrast at 4–5 mL/s with bolus tracking at carotid bulb
Temporal Bones & Orbits
Temporal Bones
Indications
Cholesteatoma, ossicular chain evaluation, temporal bone fractures
Patient Position
Supine, head first
Scan Range
Petrous temporal bones bilaterally
Slice Thickness
≤0.6 mm
kVp/mAs
120 kVp, 150–200 mAs
Reconstruction
High-resolution bone algorithm, axial and coronal MPR
Contrast
None
Orbits
Indications
Trauma, mass, infection, proptosis evaluation
Patient Position
Supine, eyes closed, avoid motion
Scan Range
Roof to floor of orbits
Slice Thickness
0.6–1 mm
kVp/mAs
120 kVp, 150–200 mAs
Reconstruction
Axial, coronal, and sagittal MPR in bone and soft tissue kernels
Contrast
Optional for tumors or infections
Paranasal Sinuses & Facial Bones
PNS Trauma
Indications
Facial fractures, sinus wall injury
Patient Position
Supine
Scan Range
Superior orbital rims to mandible
Slice Thickness
0.5–1 mm
kVp/mAs
120 kVp, 150–200 mAs
Reconstruction
Bone kernel axial, coronal, sagittal MPR
Contrast
None unless soft tissue injury suspected
PNS Non-trauma Pre-FESS
Indications
Chronic sinusitis pre-FESS evaluation
Patient Position
Supine
Scan Range
Inferior maxillary alveolus to frontal sinus roof
Slice Thickness
0.5–1 mm
kVp/mAs
120 kVp, 150–200 mAs
Reconstruction
Bone kernel axial, coronal, sagittal MPR
Contrast
None
Facial Fractures (Simple)
Indications
Routine trauma, screening
Patient Position
Supine
Scan Range
Superior orbital rims to mandible
Slice Thickness
0.5–1 mm
kVp/mAs
120 kVp, 150–200 mAs
Reconstruction
Bone kernel axial and coronal MPR
Contrast
None
Facial Fractures (Detailed)
Indications
Complex maxillofacial trauma
Patient Position
Supine
Scan Range
Extended to include mandible or orbital floor as needed
Slice Thickness
0.5–1 mm
kVp/mAs
120 kVp, 150–200 mAs
Reconstruction
Bone kernel axial, coronal, sagittal MPR, 3D VR
Contrast
None
Neck Soft Tissue
Neck (Plain & Contrast)
Indications
Tumors, infection, trauma
Patient Position
Supine, neck extended slightly
Scan Range
Skull base to thoracic inlet
Slice Thickness
≤1 mm
kVp/mAs
120 kVp, auto mAs
Reconstruction
Axial soft tissue and bone windows, sagittal/coronal MPR
Contrast
80–100 mL contrast at 2–3 mL/s, delay 60–70 s
Chest
Chest (Plain)
Indications
Interstitial lung disease, trauma, screening
Patient Position
Supine, full inspiration
Scan Range
Thoracic inlet to adrenal glands
Slice Thickness
1–1.25 mm
kVp/mAs
120 kVp, auto mAs
Reconstruction
Axial lung and mediastinal windows, coronal/sagittal MPR
Contrast
None
Chest (Plain & Contrast)
Indications
Masses, infection, metastases
Patient Position
Supine, full inspiration
Scan Range
Thoracic inlet to adrenal glands
Slice Thickness
1–1.25 mm
kVp/mAs
120 kVp, auto mAs
Reconstruction
Axial lung and mediastinal windows, coronal/sagittal MPR
Contrast
80–100 mL contrast at 2–3 mL/s, scan at 25–35 s
Pulmonary Angiogram (CTPA)
Indications
Pulmonary embolism
Patient Position
Supine, breath-hold at inspiration
Scan Range
Lung apices to below diaphragm
Slice Thickness
≤1 mm
kVp/mAs
100–120 kVp, auto mAs
Reconstruction
MPR, MIP, and 3D VR of arterial phase
Contrast
70–100 mL contrast at 4–5 mL/s with bolus tracking at main pulmonary artery
Chest/Abdomen/Pelvis
Chest/Abdomen/Pelvis (Male & Female)
Indications
Trauma, staging
Patient Position
Supine, full inspiration
Scan Range
Thoracic inlet to pubic symphysis
Slice Thickness
1–1.25 mm
kVp/mAs
120 kVp, auto mAs
Reconstruction
Axial soft tissue and bone windows, coronal/sagittal MPR
Contrast
100–120 mL contrast at 3–4 mL/s, portal venous phase (60–70 s)
Angiography
Renal Angiogram
Indications
Renal artery stenosis, aneurysm, vascular malformations, trauma
Patient Position
Supine, arms above head
Scan Range
Diaphragm to iliac crest
Slice Thickness
≤0.6 mm
kVp/mAs
120 kVp, auto mAs
Contrast
80–100 mL @ 4–5 mL/s, bolus tracking in abdominal aorta (~150 HU)
Reconstruction
Axial, coronal, sagittal MPR; MIP, 3D VR
Brain Angiogram
Indications
Aneurysms, AVMs, stenosis, vascular injury
Patient Position
Supine, head first, neutral
Scan Range
Foramen magnum to vertex
Slice Thickness
≤0.6 mm
kVp/mAs
120 kVp, auto mAs
Contrast
70–90 mL @ 4–5 mL/s, bolus tracking in carotid or aortic arch
Reconstruction
Axial MPR, curved planar, MIP, 3D VR
Head & Neck Angiogram
Indications
Carotid stenosis, dissection, trauma
Patient Position
Supine, head first
Scan Range
Aortic arch to vertex
Slice Thickness
≤0.6 mm
kVp/mAs
120 kVp, auto mAs
Contrast
80–100 mL @ 4–5 mL/s, bolus tracking in aortic arch (~150 HU)
Reconstruction
Axial MPR, MIP, curved planar reformats, 3D VR
Pulmonary Angiogram
Indications
Pulmonary embolism, vascular malformations
Patient Position
Supine, arms raised
Scan Range
Lung apices through costophrenic angles
Slice Thickness
≤1 mm
kVp/mAs
100–120 kVp, auto mAs
Contrast
60–80 mL @ 4–5 mL/s, bolus tracking in main pulmonary artery (~100 HU)
Reconstruction
Axial, coronal, sagittal MPR; MIP, 3D VR
Lower Limb Angiogram
Indications
Peripheral vascular disease, trauma
Patient Position
Supine, feet first
Scan Range
Abdominal aorta (L1) to feet
Slice Thickness
≤0.6–1 mm
kVp/mAs
100–120 kVp, auto mAs
Contrast
100–120 mL @ 4–5 mL/s, bolus tracking in abdominal aorta (~150 HU)
Reconstruction
MPR, MIP, 3D VR of arteries
Abdomen & Pelvis
Abdomen & Pelvis Plain (Male)
Indications
Urolithiasis, abdominal pain, trauma
Patient Position
Supine, arms above head
Scan Range
Dome of diaphragm to symphysis pubis
Slice Thickness
3–5 mm (≤1.25 mm if needed)
kVp/mAs
120 kVp, auto mAs
Contrast
None
Reconstruction
Axial soft tissue & bone windows, coronal/sagittal MPR
Abdomen & Pelvis CECT (Male)
Indications
Tumor staging, infection, trauma
Patient Position
Supine
Scan Range
Dome of diaphragm to symphysis pubis
Slice Thickness
≤1.25 mm
kVp/mAs
120 kVp, auto mAs
Contrast
80–100 mL @ 3–4 mL/s, portal venous (~70 s); arterial if needed
Reconstruction
Axial, coronal, sagittal MPR; MIP/VR if vascular eval
Abdomen & Pelvis Plain (Female)
Indications
Urolithiasis, pelvic pain
Patient Position
Supine
Scan Range
Dome of diaphragm to symphysis pubis
Slice Thickness
3–5 mm (≤1.25 mm if needed)
kVp/mAs
120 kVp, auto mAs
Contrast
None
Reconstruction
Axial soft tissue & bone windows, coronal/sagittal MPR
Abdomen & Pelvis CECT (Female)
Indications
Tumor staging, abscess, trauma
Patient Position
Supine
Scan Range
Dome of diaphragm to symphysis pubis
Slice Thickness
≤1.25 mm
kVp/mAs
120 kVp, auto mAs
Contrast
80–100 mL @ 3–4 mL/s, portal venous (~70 s); arterial if required
Reconstruction
Axial, coronal, sagittal MPR; MIP/VR for vascular details
KUB (Male)
Indications
Urolithiasis, flank pain
Patient Position
Supine
Scan Range
Kidneys to bladder base
Slice Thickness
3–5 mm
kVp/mAs
120 kVp, auto mAs
Contrast
None
Reconstruction
Axial soft tissue & bone windows, coronal MPR for ureters
KUB (Female)
Indications
Urolithiasis, flank pain
Patient Position
Supine
Scan Range
Kidneys to bladder base
Slice Thickness
3–5 mm
kVp/mAs
120 kVp, auto mAs
Contrast
None
Reconstruction
Axial soft tissue & bone windows, coronal MPR for ureters
Upper Limb
Wrist
Indications
Fracture assessment, non-union, carpal instability
Patient Position
Supine, arm above head or by side, wrist neutral
Scan Range
Mid-radius/ulna to metacarpal heads
Slice Thickness
0.5–1 mm
kVp/mAs
120 kVp, 150–200 mAs
Reconstruction
Bone & soft tissue kernels, MPR coronal/sagittal, 3D VR
Contrast
None unless infection/vascular
Elbow
Indications
Complex fractures, instability, prosthesis assessment
Patient Position
Supine, arm above head or by side, elbow extended
Scan Range
Distal humerus to proximal forearm
Slice Thickness
0.5–1 mm
kVp/mAs
120 kVp, 150–200 mAs
Reconstruction
Bone & soft tissue kernels, MPR coronal/sagittal/oblique
Contrast
Not routine
Shoulder
Indications
Fractures, prosthesis planning, instability, tumors
Patient Position
Supine, arm neutral
Scan Range
Entire scapula, glenoid, proximal humerus, clavicle
Slice Thickness
0.6–1 mm
kVp/mAs
120 kVp, 150–200 mAs
Reconstruction
Bone & soft tissue algorithms, MPR coronal/sagittal oblique
Contrast
Optional for tumor/infection
Lower Limb
Knee
Indications
Complex fractures, tibial plateau injuries, pre-op alignment
Patient Position
Supine, knee neutral
Scan Range
Above femoral condyles to below tibial tuberosity
Slice Thickness
0.5–1 mm
kVp/mAs
120 kVp, 150–200 mAs
Reconstruction
Bone & soft tissue kernels, MPR coronal/sagittal, 3D VR
Contrast
Not routine
Pelvis & Hip Joints
Indications
Pelvic fractures, acetabular fractures, prosthesis evaluation
Patient Position
Supine, feet internally rotated ~15°
Scan Range
Iliac crest to mid-femur
Slice Thickness
1 mm
kVp/mAs
120 kVp, 200–250 mAs
Reconstruction
Bone kernel axial, MPR coronal/sagittal, 3D VR
Contrast
Optional for tumor/infection
Angiogram Lower Limbs
Indications
Peripheral arterial disease, trauma, bypass planning
Patient Position
Supine, legs extended
Scan Range
Diaphragm to feet
Slice Thickness
0.6–1 mm
kVp/mAs
100–120 kVp, auto mAs
Reconstruction
Arterial phase, MPR, MIP, 3D VR
Contrast
80–100 mL contrast @ 4–5 mL/s
Spine
Cervical Spine
Indications
Trauma, degenerative disease, pre-op planning
Patient Position
Supine, neck neutral
Scan Range
Base of skull to T2
Slice Thickness
0.5–1 mm
kVp/mAs
120 kVp, 200 mAs
Reconstruction
Bone & soft tissue kernels, MPR sagittal/coronal
Contrast
Use for infection/tumor/post-op
Lumbar Spine
Indications
Trauma, degenerative changes, pre-op planning
Patient Position
Supine, legs extended or knees flexed
Scan Range
T12 to sacrum
Slice Thickness
1–2 mm
kVp/mAs
120 kVp, 250 mAs
Reconstruction
Bone & soft tissue kernels, MPR sagittal/coronal
Contrast
Use for infection/tumor/post-op