Sequential CT scanning, also referred to as "scan-move-scan" or "step and shoot", was the conventional method of image acquisition in computed tomography before the advent of helical CT.
Terminology
In sequential scanning, the patient is moved forward along the longitudinal axis of the CT scanner, pausing at intervals to allow a trans-axial image to be captured at each position along the axis.
Physical principles
The tube gantry is restricted from rotating continuously by the use of high-tension cabling instead of slip ring technology seen in all modern CT scanners.
Limitations
The disadvantages of sequential scanners include:
uniplanar imaging (axial slices only)
longer scan acquisition times
increased motion artifact (secondary to longer scan times)
Practical points
Helical scanners now comprise the vast majority of the installed CT base globally. However, helical scanners are also capable of sequential scanning, usually called "axial acquisition" in this context. Axial acquisitions are commonly used for head exams to minimize some helical artifacts, and are used in some gated cardiac exams. Axial acquisitions on modern scanners do allow reformatted images (e.g. sagittal, coronal, MIP), and can result in reduced dose compared to helical because they do not involve overranging.