Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (808 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
Types of spiral computed tomography technology in which multiple slices of data are acquired simultaneously improving the resolution over single slice acquisition technology.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Computed Tomography, Multidetector; Tomography, Multidetector Computed; Multisection Computed Tomography; Computed Tomography, Multisection; Tomography, Multisection Computed; Multidetector-Row Computed Tomography; Computed Tomography, Multidetector-Row; Multidetector Row Computed Tomography.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Tomography, Spiral Computed
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 8,833 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Multidetector Computed Tomography” (counts retrieved 2026-11-04). 1,600 of them (18.1%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is 2010-2019 with 7,359 records.
Reviews account for 792 records (9.0%) and meta-analyses for 47. Randomized controlled trials number 181 (2.0%) as a share of all records on the topic.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 0 |
| 2000-2009 | 10 |
| 2010-2019 | 7,359 |
| 2020 onward | 1,600 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 792 | 9.0% |
| Meta-analyses | 47 | 0.5% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 181 | 2.0% |
Method: PubMed query "Multidetector Computed Tomography"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-11-04.
Reading the evidence in diagnostics and medical technology
A test or device is judged by how well it detects a condition, how often it gives false alarms or misses cases, and whether using it improves outcomes for people. Accuracy depends on who is tested and how common the condition is, so a test that performs well in a specialist hospital can perform differently in the community. Check the reference standard, the population studied, the sensitivity and specificity and whether results were confirmed in a separate group.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contrast-enhanced computed tomography assessment of aortic stenosis | 2021 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 70 | cc by PMID 33514522 · DOI · PMC8600609 |
| Computed tomography aortic valve calcium scoring for the assessment of aortic stenosis progression | 2020 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 35 | cc by PMID 33020228 · DOI · PMC7719911 |
| Natural course of coronary artery calcium progression in Asian population with an initial score of zero | 2020 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 33 | cc by PMID 32375648 · DOI · PMC7204036 |
| Evolving capabilities of computed tomography imaging for transcatheter valvular heart interventions - new opportunities for precision medicine | 2026 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 3 | cc by PMID 39347934 · DOI · PMC12987856 |
Contrast-enhanced computed tomography assessment of aortic stenosis [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- ObjectivesNon-contrast CT aortic valve calcium scoring ignores the contribution of valvular fibrosis in aortic stenosis.
- Closing excerpt
- 72, pConclusionsContrast-enhanced CT assessment of aortic valve calcific and non-calcific volumes correlates with aortic stenosis severity and may be preferable to non-contrast CT when fibrosis is a significant contributor to valve obstruction.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (174 words)
ObjectivesNon-contrast CT aortic valve calcium scoring ignores the contribution of valvular fibrosis in aortic stenosis. We assessed aortic valve calcific and non-calcific disease using contrast-enhanced CT.MethodsThis was a post hoc analysis of 164 patients (median age 71 (IQR 66-77) years, 78% male) with aortic stenosis (41 mild, 89 moderate, 34 severe; 7% bicuspid) who underwent echocardiography and contrast-enhanced CT as part of imaging studies. Calcific and non-calcific (fibrosis) valve tissue volumes were quantified and indexed to annulus area, using Hounsfield unit thresholds calibrated against blood pool radiodensity. The fibrocalcific ratio assessed the relative contributions of valve fibrosis and calcification. The fibrocalcific volume (sum of indexed non-calcific and calcific volumes) was compared with aortic valve peak velocity and, in a subgroup, histology and valve weight.ResultsContrast-enhanced CT calcium volumes correlated with CT calcium score (r=0.80, p3/cm2). Fibrocalcific volume correlated with ex vivo valve weight (r=0.72, pConclusionsContrast-enhanced CT assessment of aortic valve calcific and non-calcific volumes correlates with aortic stenosis severity and may be preferable to non-contrast CT when fibrosis is a significant contributor to valve obstruction.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 33514522 · DOI · PMC8600609
Computed tomography aortic valve calcium scoring for the assessment of aortic stenosis progression [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- ObjectiveCT quantification of aortic valve calcification (CT-AVC) is useful in the assessment of aortic stenosis severity.
- Closing excerpt
- ConclusionCT-AVC is reproducible and demonstrates larger increases over time normalised to measurement repeatability compared with echocardiographic measures.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (250 words)
ObjectiveCT quantification of aortic valve calcification (CT-AVC) is useful in the assessment of aortic stenosis severity. Our objective was to assess its ability to track aortic stenosis progression compared with echocardiography.MethodsSubjects were recruited in two cohorts: (1) a reproducibility cohort where patients underwent repeat CT-AVC or echocardiography within 4 weeks and (2) a disease progression cohort where patients underwent annual CT-AVC and/or echocardiography. Cohen's d-statistic (d) was computed from the ratio of annualised progression and measurement repeatability and used to estimate group sizes required to detect annualised changes in CT-AVC and echocardiography.ResultsA total of 33 (age 71±8) and 81 participants (age 72±8) were recruited to the reproducibility and progression cohorts, respectively. Ten CT scans (16%) were excluded from the progression cohort due to non-diagnostic image quality. Scan-rescan reproducibility was excellent for CT-AVC (limits of agreement -12% to 10 %, intraclass correlation (ICC) 0.99), peak velocity (-7% to +17%; ICC 0.92) mean gradient (-25% to 27%, ICC 0.96) and dimensionless index (-11% to +15%; ICC 0.98). Repeat measurements of aortic valve area (AVA) were less reliable (-44% to +28%, ICC 0.85).CT-AVC progressed by 152 (65-375) AU/year. For echocardiography, the median annual change in peak velocity was 0.1 (0.0-0.3) m/s/year, mean gradient 2 (0-4) mm Hg/year and AVA -0.1 (-0.2-0.0) cm2/year. Cohen's d-statistic was more than double for CT-AVC (d=3.12) than each echocardiographic measure (peak velocity d=0.71 ; mean gradient d=0.66; AVA d=0.59, dimensionless index d=1.41).ConclusionCT-AVC is reproducible and demonstrates larger increases over time normalised to measurement repeatability compared with echocardiographic measures.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 33020228 · DOI · PMC7719911
Natural course of coronary artery calcium progression in Asian population with an initial score of zero [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundWe aimed to investigate the natural course of coronary artery calcium progression in an Asian population with a baseline coronary artery calcium (CAC) score of zero, and to determine subclinical coronary atherosclerosis.
- Closing excerpt
- 1 may help confirm subjects at low risk to improve cardiovascular risk stratification and reclassification in the field of preventive cardiology.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (260 words)
BackgroundWe aimed to investigate the natural course of coronary artery calcium progression in an Asian population with a baseline coronary artery calcium (CAC) score of zero, and to determine subclinical coronary atherosclerosis.MethodsFour hundred fifty-nine subjects with at least two CAC scans with an initial score of zero were included. CAC progression (+) was defined by the development of any CAC (i.e., CAC > 0) during subsequent CT scans. Clinical characteristics and Framingham risk profiles were also recorded.ResultsAmong 459 subjects, 106 (23.09%) experienced CAC progression during the average follow-up period of 5.71 ± 2.68 years. Older age, male gender, HDL-C, total cholesterol and higher Framingham risk score were independently associated with CAC progression. Framingham risk score had the better discriminative ability (AUC = 0.660) to predict CAC progression compared to the other parameters with a sensitivity of 75.24% and specificity of 53.95%. For the double zero score with coronary artery atherosclerosis prediction, older age, triglycerides, hypertension, and Framingham risk score were significantly associated with these events. Among these parameters, Framingham risk score may be a relatively acceptable parameter with high negative predictive (NPV = 96.4%) value to rule out double zero score with obstructive coronary artery atherosclerosis scenario with an optimum cut-off value of ConclusionsA baseline zero CAC score in asymptomatic Chinese population with low to intermediate risk have a low incidence for CAC progression within the 5-years period. For CAC progression prediction, Framingham risk score with the cutoff < 11.1 may help confirm subjects at low risk to improve cardiovascular risk stratification and reclassification in the field of preventive cardiology.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 32375648 · DOI · PMC7204036
Evolving capabilities of computed tomography imaging for transcatheter valvular heart interventions - new opportunities for precision medicine [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- The last decade has witnessed a substantial growth in percutaneous treatment options for heart valve disease.
- Closing excerpt
- This review will provide an insight of key innovations in the field of MDCT for planning transcatheter heart valve interventions.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (124 words)
The last decade has witnessed a substantial growth in percutaneous treatment options for heart valve disease. The development in these innovative therapies has been mirrored by advances in multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT). MDCT plays a central role in obtaining detailed pre-procedural anatomical information, helping to inform clinical decisions surrounding procedural planning, improve clinical outcomes and prevent potential complications. Improvements in MDCT image acquisition and processing techniques have led to increased application of advanced analytics in routine clinical care. Workflow implementation of patient-specific computational modeling, fluid dynamics, 3D printing, extended reality, extracellular volume mapping and artificial intelligence are shaping the landscape for delivering patient-specific care. This review will provide an insight of key innovations in the field of MDCT for planning transcatheter heart valve interventions.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 39347934 · DOI · PMC12987856
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Why and How to Measure Aortic Valve Calcification in Patients With Aortic Stenosis [5]
- Research article Clinical Diagnosis, Imaging, and Genetics of Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy/Dysplasia: JACC State-of-the-Art Review [6]
- Research article Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring: Is It Time for a Change in Methodology? [7]
- Research article Image quality in coronary CT angiography: challenges and technical solutions [8]
- Research article ITMIG Classification of Mediastinal Compartments and Multidisciplinary Approach to Mediastinal Masses [9]
- Research article Diagnostic performance of multidetector computed tomographic (MDCTU) in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC): a systematic review and meta-analysis [10]
References
- Cartlidge TR, Bing R, Kwiecinski J, Guzzetti E, Pawade TA, Doris MK, et al.. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography assessment of aortic stenosis. . 2021. PMID 33514522 · DOI · PMC8600609
- Doris MK, Jenkins W, Robson P, Pawade T, Andrews JP, Bing R, et al.. Computed tomography aortic valve calcium scoring for the assessment of aortic stenosis progression. . 2020. PMID 33020228 · DOI · PMC7719911
- Shen YW, Wu YJ, Hung YC, Hsiao CC, Chan SH, Mar GY, et al.. Natural course of coronary artery calcium progression in Asian population with an initial score of zero. . 2020. PMID 32375648 · DOI · PMC7204036
- Androshchuk V, Montarello N, Lahoti N, Hill SJ, Zhou C, Patterson T, et al.. Evolving capabilities of computed tomography imaging for transcatheter valvular heart interventions - new opportunities for precision medicine. . 2026. PMID 39347934 · DOI · PMC12987856
- Pawade T, Sheth T, Guzzetti E, Dweck MR, Clavel MA. Why and How to Measure Aortic Valve Calcification in Patients With Aortic Stenosis. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging. 2019. PMID 31488252 · DOI
- Gandjbakhch E, Redheuil A, Pousset F, Charron P, Frank R. Clinical Diagnosis, Imaging, and Genetics of Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy/Dysplasia: JACC State-of-the-Art Review. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2018. PMID 30092956 · DOI
- Blaha MJ, Mortensen MB, Kianoush S, Tota-Maharaj R, Cainzos-Achirica M. Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring: Is It Time for a Change in Methodology?. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging. 2017. PMID 28797416 · DOI
- Ghekiere O, Salgado R, Buls N, Leiner T, Mancini I, Vanhoenacker P, et al.. Image quality in coronary CT angiography: challenges and technical solutions. Br J Radiol. 2017. PMID 28055253 · DOI · PMC5605061
- Carter BW, Benveniste MF, Madan R, Godoy MC, de Groot PM, Truong MT, et al.. ITMIG Classification of Mediastinal Compartments and Multidisciplinary Approach to Mediastinal Masses. Radiographics. 2017. PMID 28129068 · DOI
- Janisch F, Shariat SF, Baltzer P, Fajkovic H, Kimura S, Iwata T, et al.. Diagnostic performance of multidetector computed tomographic (MDCTU) in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC): a systematic review and meta-analysis. World J Urol. 2020. PMID 31321509 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-11-04; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-11-04.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.