What does "windowing" refer to in CT imaging?

Windowing in CT imaging specifically refers to the process of optimizing the contrast and brightness of the images. This technique allows radiologists and technicians to manipulate the grayscale levels of the image for better visibility of different tissues or pathologies. Each CT image is comprised of various densities which represent different tissues; windowing adjusts the range of these densities that are displayed, enhancing the details that might be crucial for diagnosis.

Through windowing, clinicians can highlight specific structures by selecting a narrow range of Hounsfield units (the quantitative scale for describing radiodensity) to enhance contrast between different tissues, making abnormalities easier to identify. For example, if the primary area of interest is soft tissue, one might use a "soft tissue window" setting that enhances these densities while suppressing others.

This technique is essential for effective interpretation of CT images, ensuring that the diagnostic potential of the scan is maximized.