CT Scan

CT Scan

A computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan allows doctors to see inside your body. It uses a combination of X-rays and a computer to create pictures of your organs, bones, and other tissues. It shows more detail than a regular X-ray.

 

You can get a CT scan on any part of your body. The procedure doesn’t take very long, and it’s painless.

 

For CT, they use a narrow X-ray beam that circles around one part of your body. This provides a series of images from many different angles. A computer uses this information to create a cross-sectional picture. Like one piece in a loaf of bread, this two-dimensional (2D) scan shows a “slice” of the inside of your body.This process is repeated to produce a number of slices. The computer stacks these scans one on top of the other to create a three-dimensional (3D) image. This can give your doctor a better view of your organs, bones, or blood vessels. For example, a surgeon may use this type of scan to look at all sides of a tumor to prepare for an operation.

 

Doctors order CT scans for a long list of reasons:

 

CT scans can detect bone and joint problems, like complex bone fractures and tumors.

 

If you have a condition like cancer, heart disease, emphysema, or liver masses, CT scans can spot it or help doctors see any changes.

 

They show internal injuries and bleeding, such as those caused by a car accident.

 

They can locate a tumor, blood clot, excess fluid, or infection.

 

Doctors use them to guide treatment plans and procedures, such as biopsies, surgeries, and radiation therapy.

 

Doctors can compare CT scans to find out if certain treatments are working. For example, scans of a tumor over time can show whether it’s responding to chemotherapy or radiation.