Hounsfield unit calibration

Hounsfield unit (HU) calibration is the process of ensuring that a CT scanner’s brightness levels accurately reflect tissue densities. Each tissue type (like bone, muscle, or fat) has a specific density, which translates into a certain HU value. Calibration involves using known reference materials with established densities to adjust the scanner’s measurements. This process makes sure that the HU readings are reliable and consistent across different scans and machines, allowing accurate diagnosis and comparison of tissue densities, such as identifying abnormalities or assessing bone health.