RESUMEN
Direct coronal CT scans of the body have been carried out in 78 cases of the thoracic and abdnominal diseases. The results are as follows: 1. Among total 78 patients, 66 cases were successfully scanned by the direct coronal CT. 2. Direct co ronal CT scan most accurately detected retroperitoneal diseases, especially renal diseases. 3. In comparison with multiplanar reformating (MPR) image, direct coronal CT of the body has three advantages: (a) improved image quality: (b) improved definition of the coronal anatomy : (c) shorter examination time. 4. Direct coronal CT has advantages in evaluation of the mass nature and relationship with other organs. 5. Disadvantages or limitations of the direct coronal CT are as follows: in creased radiation exposure and insufficient positioning for disabled patients. 6. In our experience, direct coronal CT is considered as helpful method for presurgical evaluation and the rapeutic management of various diseases, especially gross tumor of the retroperitoneum.