REVIEW OF HIGH-RESOLUTION COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY AND A PROPOSED TECHNIQUE FOR REGIONAL EXAMINATION OF THE CANINE LUMBOSACRAL SPINE

High resolution computed tomography (CT) is a noninvasive imaging modality that has been used extensively in evaluating diseases of the human lumbosacral spine. Excellent spatial and contrast resolution, combined with multiplanar reformatting capability make high resolution CT scanners well-suited for similar applications in dogs. Consistently good quality images can be obtained when careful attention is given to factors affecting resolution. This paper reviews and illustrates some principles of high resolution CT, and proposes a technique for regional CT examination of the canine lumbosacral spine.