CT Imaging , also called a CAT Scan, is a noninvasive, painless medical procedure that is used by your doctor to assist him or her in diagnosing and treating medical conditions. CT Imaging is a specialized x-ray apparatus that is capable of taking numerous images or pictures of the inside of your body and utilizes a computer to join them together in cross-sectional views of the targeted areas. The images can either be reviewed on the computer screen or printed to view a hard copy of the image.
CT Imaging of internal organs, bone, soft tissue and blood vessels gives a more detailed view of the images then a conventional x-ray provides. Using specialized equipment and proficiency to produce and read CT scans of your body, radiologists can easily diagnose problems like cancers, cardiovascular disease, infectious disease, trauma and musculoskeletal disorders.
CT Imaging is for:
• Studying the chest and abdomen, providing cross-sectional views of the various tissue types
• Diagnosing a variety of cancers that include: lung, liver and pancreatic cancer, precise location and size of tumor and the extent of the tumor's involvement with other tissue and organs
• Detecting spinal issues, hand dysfunctions, feet and other skeletal structures because it has the capacity to detail very small bones to show surrounding tissues like muscle and blood vessels
• Discovering vascular diseases that are linked to stroke, kidney failure and even death
• CT Imaging can assist your doctor in accurately administrating radiation treatment for tumors
• A guide for physician when taking biopsies
• Map out some surgeries
• Measuring bone density
• Identify problems associated with the liver, spleen, kidneys and other internal organs specifically if trauma has occurredThe Procedure
You will be positioned on the CT examination table, in most case scenarios, lying flat on your back, your side or on your stomach. If you have are experiencing a difficult time holding the correct position during the exam, straps and pillows may be needed to assist you.
If you need to take contrast material for certain testing, it will be swallowed, injected through an IV or given by enema. The table will then move rapidly through the scanner to determine the correct starting position for the images. Next, the table will move slowly through the machine as the actual CT Imaging is completed. You will need to wait until the technologist determines that the images are of high enough quality for the radiologist to read. The procedure usually lasts between 5-30 minutes.
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