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What Is CT Scan?

A CT scan uses X-rays and computers to create detailed images of the inside of the body. Many X-ray images are taken from different angles and used to generate cross-sectional views and 3D images of tissues and organs. During the scan, the patient lies on a table that slides into a large circular opening to take the images. Contrast dye may sometimes be used to show certain structures more clearly. CT scans provide advantages like detecting abnormalities quickly and accurately, but also involve radiation exposure and have some limitations.

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92 views2 pages

What Is CT Scan?

A CT scan uses X-rays and computers to create detailed images of the inside of the body. Many X-ray images are taken from different angles and used to generate cross-sectional views and 3D images of tissues and organs. During the scan, the patient lies on a table that slides into a large circular opening to take the images. Contrast dye may sometimes be used to show certain structures more clearly. CT scans provide advantages like detecting abnormalities quickly and accurately, but also involve radiation exposure and have some limitations.

Uploaded by

Aristotle Tan
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CT Scan

What is CT Scan?
A CT scan stands for Computerised Tomography Scanner. It is also known as Computer Axial Tomography scan. It is a medical imaging method that employs tomography. Tomography is the process of generating a two-dimensional image of a slice or section through a 3dimensional object (a tomogram). Many pictures of the same area are taken from many angles and then placed together to produce a 3-D image

Figure 1 : Diagram of CT Scan

Procedure in obtaining image

Figure 2: A real CT scanner and position of couch

A CT scanner emits a series of narrow beams through the human body as it moves through an arc, unlike an X-ray machine which sends just one radiation beam. Inside the CT scanner there is an X-ray detector which can see hundreds of different levels of density. It can see tissues inside a solid organ. This data is transmitted to a computer, which builds up a 3-D cross-sectional picture of the part of the body and displays it on the screen.

Sometimes a contrast dye is used because it shows up much more clearly on the screen. If a 3-D image of the abdomen is required the patient may have to drink a barium meal. The barium appears white on the scan as it travels through the digestive system. The accuracy and speed of CT scans may be improved with the application of spiral CT. The X-ray beam takes a spiral path during the scanning - it gathers continuous data with no gaps between images. For a spiral scan of the chest, for example, the patient will be asked to hold his/her breath for a few seconds.

Advantages and disadvantages of CT


Advantages CT is readily available in most hospitals. The scan is painless Can greatly help doctors locate abnormalities within the body Shows organ tear and organ injury more quickly Linked to lower lung cancer death risk than X-rays

Disadvantages Radiation Artefacts Relatively poor tissue contrast when compared to MRI CT has a relatively high cost and limited portability. There can be contrast media-related complications, including allergic reactions and renal toxicity. Patients with kidney failure, diabetics or ones who are constantly dehydrated were denied CAT Scans

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