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A CAT scan is actually just an acronysm of the actual name of the test. CAT used to stand for Computerized Axial Tomography ( which is a fancy way of saying you use computers to to form images or slices of the anatomy) (the Axial stands for the plane of the image in relationship to the body) Think of slicing the body from end to end like a loaf of bread. This has been shortened over the years to just CT scan or Computerized Tomography. ( the CT scanner now takes different angles of imaging and is no longer just axial imaging). Contrast is something put into the body thru injection, by swallowing, or both to give the pictures a "contrast" to what it normaly looks like, and gives us a way of pulling out certain aspects of the image to see some things better. So what it comes down to is a CT scan is still the same either way but your doctor may order it with contrast, without contrast, or both depending on what he needs to see.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoNo, there isn't a difference between CT and CAT scans. CT scan was the original name of the CAT scan. CT stood for Computed Tomography, and the name was made more accurate by adding the 'A', so CAT stood for 'Computed Axial Tomography'. CAT scan is just a more specific and accurate name for CT scan.
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Will cat scan show kidney stones with or without contrast?
Without. I had a cat scan this morning for that very reason and no contrast was needed.
What is the difference between a body cat scan and a general cat scan?
They are just as they say. An abdominal cat scan is just of that area and a pelvic cat scan is just of that area. Usually if an abdominal cat scan is ordered a pelvis is included so as to cover all things in both areas but if a pelvic cat scan is ordered it usually does not include the abdomen.
Is a cat scan or an mri more accurate at detecting brain aneurysms?
A CT Scan can image an aneurysm without a contrast injection even though it does better with a contrast agent. An MRI will require an contrast agent or an MRI/MRA.
What is the liquid drink called that the doctors want you to drink before they give you a cat scan?
Contrast media
What is the common name for CAT scan?
uuuh lets seee........ a cat scan!
Why is fasting before a cat scan necessary?
Its not safe because something might go wrong in the scan and the antibiotic/sleeping injection might react with food and it won't show a clear and good picture of your cat's insides. -------------------------------------------------Improvement By the wording of the question, 'cat' scan may actually refer to CT scan or Computed (Axial) Tomography scan. Fasting before the scan for 4 to 6 hours or more may be required for certain scans requiring contrast media (iodine-based dyes to visualize certain organs better) or scans of the abdomen to avoid compounding results since certain food items may mimic human tissue in its response to X rays or reduce the effectiveness of contrast provided by contrast media.
Between Allan Cormack and Ferdinand Chauvier who inverted the CAT Scan?
allan cormack
What does CT scan stand for?
cat scan
Are lymph nodes revealed on a cat scan?
do lymph nodes show on a cat scan
What type of procedure is a PET scan?
cat scan
What is the difference between CAT and MAT?
the "m"
What IS the difference between cat and pet scan?
The difference is in the type of radiation used to form the image. A Computed Axial Tomography (CAT) scan can use any type of radiation to create the image, the specific type is not specified in the name, but most often uses X-rays; but a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan specifically uses positrons as the radiation form. A third type, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses the miniscule magnetic fields of naturally occurring compounds within the human body to create its images.
