Drugs, Health Technologies, Health Systems

Health Technology Review

Portable CT for Use in the Hospital

Key Messages

What Is the Issue?

What Did We Do?

What Did We Find?

Context

CT technology was developed in the 1970s and has evolved since its introduction to medical imaging.1 In the 1990s, CT scanners were broadly divided into 2 categories, fixed CT and portable CT.2 Fixed CT scanners are large, heavy pieces of equipment that require a high-voltage power supply, radiation shielding, and cooling machinery.2 Portable CT scanners are much smaller, lighter weight, and can be powered via a standard wall socket, making them easier to move from place to place.

Portable CT scanners are not intended to replace fixed CT scanners, rather they are intended to offer some advantages in specific circumstances. Portable CT scanners can be used at various locations within the hospital. For instance, the device may be kept in a central location within the hospital but can be relocated to different units depending on need. A portable CT scanner could be relocated to the intensive care unit (ICU), allowing ongoing treatments to continue uninterrupted, while enabling rapid diagnosis.3 This capability could be particularly crucial for patients who are critically ill and on life support, as it could negate the need for patient transportation from the ICU to the imaging suite for scanning purposes and consequently eliminate the associated risks.3 Transporting patients to a radiology department for CT exams takes time and requires several health care providers to travel with the patient to ensure they remain stable. In 1 study, adverse events occurred during 15% of CT transports, even with a well-trained team transporting the patient.4 Some patients require support and equipment, such as ventilation, IV medications, and monitoring equipment, that they cannot be safely transported in any way to receive imaging.5 Portable CT may provide an option for imaging that may not be attainable otherwise.

Objective

This report summarizes information on portable CT. The key objectives are to describe CT technology and to identify the main uses of portable CT.

About This Document

This document summarizes information identified through a limited literature search. The effectiveness of portable CT was not explicitly evaluated in this report.

Results

The Technology

CT scanners create 2-dimensional (2D) images by combining X-ray images taken from different angles into slices, or cross-sectional images, of the interior structures of the body such as bones, tissues, and blood vessels.2 The 2D slices are then reconstructed using specialized computer software to produce detailed 3D images of the body.2

CT scanners are classified by the number of slices they produce simultaneously. To capture images with a standard CT, the patient is placed on a motorized table that passes through the fixed gantry of the scanner. The gantry is the frame of the scanner that contains the X-ray tube and radiation detectors.2 The results of CT exams are typically ready for radiologist interpretation within 15 to 30 minutes.2

Most CT units are large, complex pieces of equipment that are fixed, and are housed in a specifically designed space that shields people from the radiation produced by the scanner to obtain images of the body’s structure. As technology has advanced, 2 types of nonfixed CT have been developed, mobile and portable CT. While both types of scanners can be moved and used outside of the imaging suite, there are differences between them.

Overview of Mobile CT

Mobile CT are full-sized imaging units mounted in trucks or trailers that can be transported to different locations. They are typically comparable to fixed CT scanners in terms of imaging capability:6

Overview of Portable CT

Portable CT scanners are compact units designed to bring imaging directly to the patient, especially in critical care settings. They can be manoeuvred to the patient's bedside, facilitating clinical examinations in environments with limited space.6

Some hospitals refer to these devices as “point-of-care CT” rather than “portable CT,” particularly when the units are stationed in departments like the emergency department or ICU. In such cases, the device remains in a fixed location within the department, and the patient is brought to the unit, even though it may technically be portable.6

Imaging Mechanism and Operation

Portable CT scanners use a streamlined design to generate diagnostic images while minimizing patient movement:

Image Quality

The image quality of portable CT scanners has been directly compared to traditional fixed CT systems, particularly in critical care settings.

Andersson et al.9 compared the image quality for patients who were examined by both fixed CT and portable CT scanners in the neurosurgical ICU setting. The images were graded on quantitative image quality parameters (attenuation, noise, and contrast-to-noise ratio between white and grey matter) and subjective image quality was rated on a 4-grade scale by 4 radiologists.9 There was a small, statistically significant difference in the subjective image quality as rated by the 4 radiologists favouring the fixed CT. There was also significantly more image noise from the portable CT scanner, primarily in the posterior fossa.9 Despite the lower image quality, the portable CT scanners were reported to be used successfully at the point of care in the neurosurgical ICU setting.9

Goertz et al.10,11 conducted 2 studies in the neurointensive care unit setting and found the image quality of a fixed CT scanner was significantly higher than portable CT scanners in terms of noise, signal-to-noise ratios, and contrast-to-noise ratios of grey and white matter. The subjective image quality was similar between the 2 radiologists who reviewed the scans. The authors concluded that the images produced by the portable CT scanner were of inferior quality to the fixed CT scanner but were of sufficient quality to be used in the clinical setting.10,11

Although the image quality of portable CT scanners may be somewhat poorer than fixed systems, they are reported to be valuable tools in intensive care settings where rapid, bedside imaging is essential. However, the diagnostic performance and image quality reported in these studies may not be applicable to other clinical settings, such as outpatient imaging or detailed preoperative planning. As well, the effectiveness of portable CT scanners has been reported to vary depending on factors such as patient acuity, clinical objectives, and the technical specifications of the scanner.9,10

Radiation Shielding Features

Portable CT scanners incorporate specific radiation shielding measures to protect both patients and health care providers during imaging:2

Radiation Exposure

Studies assessing radiation exposure from portable CT scanners have produced variable results, depending on the clinical setting, shielding methods, and scanner models used.

Kim et al.12 found the radiation exposure at a 1.5 m distance from the centre of the portable CT scanner was 2.260 μSv.

Based on the US National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurement’s report, the 2.260 μSv measured in the study translated into a safe number of 9 CT scans per day for medical radiation technologists, assuming an average of 250 working days per year.12

When a 0.3 mm lead shielding partition was used, the radiation dose dropped to 0.399 μSv per scan, supporting the safe use of portable CT scanners in ICU settings with shielding.12

In another study, radiation dose from a portable CT scanner in the neurosurgical ICU was reported to be similar to that of a fixed CT scanner.9

Scarone et al. assessed the mean intraoperative radiation exposure for portable CT scanners compared to O-arm imaging and found exposure to be lower for portable CT scanners (15.82 mSv vs. 19.12 mSv; P = 0.02).13 The O-arm, a CT system specifically designed for use in the operating room, provides real-time imaging during surgery; however, it requires surgical staff to leave the room during image acquisition due to higher exposure levels.13

There are some inherent limitations to these study findings:

Impact on Clinical Workflow

Portable CT scanners have been noted to affect clinical workflow in both beneficial and challenging ways across different health care roles.

The use of portable CT scanners can save time for the doctors and nurses, residents, respiratory therapists, and transfer personnel, who no longer need to accompany patients to the imaging department.11,12,14

Conversely, the workload may be increased for the radiology staff, particularly medical radiation technologists, who must spend additional time transporting, and manoeuvring the portable CT scanner to the patient, often requiring more time and coordination than a fixed CT system.11

Flexibility and Accessibility

Portable CT scanners offer advantages in adaptability and deployment, making advanced imaging more accessible across diverse clinical and geographic settings.

These scanners are compact, easily transportable, and can be used in remote locations or emergency situations.6

They can be used in various hospital areas, such as operating suites, emergency departments, and ICUs, allowing for immediate imaging without patient transportation.3

Their mobility and small footprint allow them to be used in places where traditional CT may not be accessible, such as areas where transport or installation may be difficult or impractical, such as rural areas or developing regions.6

Ease of Use and Training

Portable CT scanners are generally easier to operate and require less training than conventional CT systems. This is largely because they are typically used for targeted, less complex imaging scenarios.6

Installation and Set Up

Portable CT scanners are designed for quick deployment and minimal infrastructure requirements, making them highly adaptable to a variety of clinical environments.

Clinical Uses

Portable CT scanners are used across several hospital departments and clinical situations where immediate imaging is required and transporting the patient is difficult or risky.3 Common settings include:

Who Might Benefit?

Portable CT scanners may offer practical advantages in situations where moving a patient to a fixed CT scanner is challenging or could pose additional risks. By allowing imaging to take place closer to the point of care, portable CT scanners could help reduce delays in diagnosis and minimize the physical and clinical impact of patient transport.

Since portable CT scanners capture images while moving around the patient rather than moving the patient through the machine, they are often used to capture images of smaller portions of the body than fixed CT. Portable CT scanners are commonly used for imaging of the head and arteries and veins in the brain for stroke detection and during neurosurgical procedures.3

Patients who may benefit from portable CT include:

Potential Harms

While portable CT imaging offers advantages, several potential risks and operational factors may need to be considered:

Health Canada Authorization

NeuroLogica’s CereTom 8-slice head and neck CT scanner is registered with the FDA and is manufactured under a quality management system certified to International Organization for Standardization 13485:2003 and International Organization for Standardization 9001:2008 standards. These certifications include compliance with Canadian Medical Device Amendments, and the device is licensed for use in Canada.25,26

NeuroLogica’s BodyTom 32 slice full-body portable CT scanner received Health Canada authorization in 2012.26

It is currently unclear whether other portable CT scanner models have received Health Canada approval, as publicly available information is limited.

Use in Canada

The first portable CT scanner in Canada was used at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital at McGill University in 2008.3

Three publicly funded portable CT scanners have been identified across Canada, 1 each in Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec, as part of the 2022–2023 Canadian Medical Imaging Inventory.27

Cost

Information on the cost of portable CT scanners is limited, but the available data include:

Conclusion

Portable CT scanners can provide a rapid and flexible imaging solution that can be used at the point of care to reduce the need to transport patients and put them at risk of adverse events. Additionally, their compact size and minimal infrastructure requirements enable them to be easily relocated to different areas of a hospital or health care setting, such as rural, remote, and underserved environments.

However, their portability is not without its limitations. Compared to fixed CT, image quality may be lower, and while radiation exposure is typically within safe limits, this is due to the development of protocols and proper shielding to ensure staff and patient safety. There is also the risk of inappropriate use due to its convenience, as well as operational challenges such as increased workload for radiology staff and infection control concerns tied to the unit’s portability.

As technology continues to evolve and accessibility improve, portable CT scanners may play an increasing role in supporting efficient, patient-centred care across diverse health care settings. Further research, particularly on cost-effectiveness, diagnostic accuracy in varied settings, and long-term impacts on workflow and safety, will be important to guide informed adoption and use across health care facilities in Canada.

References

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7.Niagara Health. A mobile CT solution in Welland. 2009. Accessed May 02, 2025. https://www.niagarahealth.on.ca/site/news/2009/07/22/a-mobile-ct-solution-in-welland

8.Provincial Health Services Authority. New mobile MRI, CT scanner enhance access to medical imaging in the province. 2025. Accessed May 02, 2025. http://www.phsa.ca/about/news-stories/news-releases/2025-news/new-mobile-mri-ct-scanner-enhance-access-to-medical-imaging-in-the-province

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12.Kim E, Choi Y, Park H, et al. Assessment of Radiation Dose of Mobile Computed Tomography in Intensive Care Units. Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 2021;196(1-2):60-70. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/rpd/ncab131 PubMed

13.Scarone P, Vincenzo G, Distefano D, et al. Use of the Airo mobile intraoperative CT system versus the O-arm for transpedicular screw fixation in the thoracic and lumbar spine: a retrospective cohort study of 263 patients. Journal of Neurosurgery Spine. 2018;29(4):397-406. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.3171/2018.1.SPINE17927 PubMed

14.Yoann L, Clément M, François E, et al. Implementation of portable head CT imaging in patients with severe acute brain injury in a French ICU: a prospective before-after design pilot study. Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-25263-6 PubMed

15.Wulffeld S, Rasmussen LS, Hojlund Bech B, Steinmetz J. The effect of CT scanners in the trauma room - an observational study. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2017;61(7):832-840. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/aas.12927 PubMed

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17.Shu W, Zhu H, Liu R, et al. Posterior percutaneous endoscopic cervical foraminotomy and discectomy for degenerative cervical radiculopathy using intraoperative O-arm imaging. Wideochir Inne Tech Maloinwazyjne. 2019;14(4):551-559. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.5114/wiitm.2019.88660 PubMed

18.Navarro-Ramirez R, Lang G, Lian X, et al. Total Navigation in Spine Surgery; A Concise Guide to Eliminate Fluoroscopy Using a Portable Intraoperative Computed Tomography 3-Dimensional Navigation System. World Neurosurg. 2017;100:325-335. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2017.01.025 PubMed

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20.Servello D, Saleh C, Zekaj E. Intraoperative mobile computed tomography in deep brain stimulation: Comparison between Airo CT and O-arm CT. Surg Neurol Int. 2022;13:258. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.25259/SNI_349_2022 PubMed

21.Patel PM, Kandabarow AM, Chuang E, et al. Using Intraoperative Portable CT Scan to Minimize Reintervention Rates in Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: A Prospective Trial. J Endourol. 2022;36(10):1382-1387. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1089/end.2022.0049 PubMed

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23.Catalina Imaging. Revolutionizing Pediatric Healthcare: The Transformative Impact of Mobile CT Scanners. 2021. Accessed May 08, 2025. https://catalinaimaging.com/revolutionizing-pediatric-healthcare-the-transformative-impact-of-mobile-ct-scanners/

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25.Fierce Biotech Author. NeuroLogica Receives COFEPRIS Clearance for CereTom®. 2012. Accessed May 08, 2025. https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/neurologica-receives-cofepris-clearance-for-ceretom%C2%AE

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