Which CT technique enhances the contrast of vascular structures?

The technique that enhances the contrast of vascular structures is contrast-enhanced scanning. This method involves administering a contrast agent, usually an iodine-based substance, which increases the visibility of vessels and tissues during a CT exam. When the contrast material circulates through the bloodstream, it absorbs X-rays more effectively than the surrounding tissues, thereby highlighting the vascular structures and allowing for clearer differentiation between arteries, veins, and adjacent tissues. This enhanced contrast is critical for diagnosing vascular conditions, such as clots, obstructions, or tumors that may be affecting the vascular system.

Other techniques, while useful in various imaging aspects, do not primarily focus on enhancing vascular contrast. Multiphase imaging is more about capturing images at different times to assess changes in perfusion or to visualize dynamic processes, rather than enhancing contrast alone. Post-processing refers to techniques applied after image acquisition to enhance or manipulate images for better interpretation, but it does not inherently involve the application of a contrast agent during the scan. Image reconstruction is a technical process for creating the final images from raw data collected by the CT scanner, but it does not directly impact the contrast of vascular structures in the same way that administering a contrast agent does.