[en] A multiple source tomographic X-ray scanner is described in which the X-ray sources rotate about an axis through the patient and may operate in either of two modes. In the first mode of operation, the sources are rotated in one plane and permit high speed, single slice scans to be made. In the second mode of operation, the X-ray sources are shifted relative to each other but parallel with the rotation axis so as to scan distinct, but contiguous planes and to permit multiple images to be made in a single scan. The X-ray sources may be independently moved around the circumference on which they rotate. The detectors can either be in the form of finite arrays which are moveable with their respective sources or a continuous, stationary detector ring. (author)