In a CT scan, increasing the mAs can impact what aspect of the image?

Increasing the mAs (milliampere-seconds) in a CT scan primarily affects image noise. The mAs represents the amount of X-ray exposure to the detector, where a higher mAs increases the number of X-ray photons emitted during the scan. This increased photon quantity leads to a reduction in image noise, which is often seen as graininess or fuzziness on the image.

With reduced noise, the contrast and clarity of the underlying structures in the images are improved, enabling better visualization of details. This is particularly important in CT imaging, where precise differentiation of tissues is crucial for accurate diagnosis. Therefore, adjusting the mAs serves to enhance the overall quality of the image by impacting the noise level significantly.