Spatial resolution in CT is the ability to differentiate two adjacent objects or structures as being distinct from each other.
A high spatial resolution is important for one to discriminate between structures that are located within close proximity to each other.
Factors affecting CT spatial resolution
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as the FOV increases so does the pixel size (assuming constant number of pixels), resulting in a decreased resolution
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the smaller the pixel size the higher the spatial resolution
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a larger focal spot will decrease the resolution
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magnification
increasing magnification will decrease the resolution
motion of the patient
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is inversely related to the resolution, the higher the pitch the lower the resolution
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edge enhancement kernels will have a higher spatial resolution than soft tissue kernels, at the cost of more noise and therefore decreased contrast resolution
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slice thickness
the larger the slice thickness the lower the resolution
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increase in detector element size decreases resolution
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