Multiplanar Reconstruction (MPR)

Multiplanar Reconstruction (MPR) allows images to be created from the original axial plane in either the coronal, sagittal, or oblique plane. Spiral/helical CT has greatly improved the quality of MPRs by eliminating the 'stair-step' artefacts that used to occur with conventional slice-by-slice CT. Multislice CT has further improved the quality of MPRs as it allows isotropic imaging in which the image quality of the reconstructed MPR is the same as the original axial image.

Axial

The axial plane passes through the body from anterior to posterior and divides it into superior and inferior sections.

Coronal

The coronal plane passes through the body from left to right and divides it into anterior and posterior sections.

Sagittal

The sagittal plane passes through the body from anterior to posterior and divides it into left and right sections.

Oblique

The oblique plane passes through the body at an angle to the axial, coronal, and sagittal planes.