CT Scanning

The devil is in the details. CT scans can and do save lives. CT scans can and do cause cancer. The appropriate use of the CT scan is safe and effective in modern healthcare. The inappropriate use of CT scans is a major public health concern.

A cat scan is the nickname given to a special type of x-ray known as a computed tomography scan, or CT scan for short. This allows doctors to see inside the body without cutting it open and the procedures is commonly used to find problems inside the skull, such as brain tumors or signs of a stroke.

What causes asymetric ventricules to swell in the brain?

Computed Tomography (CT) imaging is also known as "CAT scanning" (Computed Axial Tomography). Tomography is from the Greek word "tomos" meaning "slice" or "section" and graphia meaning "describing". CT was invented in 1972 by British engineer Godfrey Hounsfield of EMI Laboratories, England and by South Africa-born physicist Allan Cormack of Tufts University, Massachusetts. Hounsfield and Cormack were later awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their contributions to medicine and science.

Computed axial tomography (CT or CAT) scans use x rays to produce high resolution images of soft and hard tissue. The patient (or object of interest) is put inside a cylindrical scanner and an x-ray beam is directed through the body and picked up by detectors. Because there are thousands images taken at many angles and positions, the process collects a great deal of data. There are image processing techniques that reassemble all this data into a detailed 3D reconstruction of the section of tissue scanned. This data can then be used to give "slices" of the tissue or create other types of images and perspectives with the full benefit of the 3D information. Thus, the essence of the success of this technique is the ability to create and process the immense about of data needed for the 3D reconstruction.

Radiation exposure from a CT scan is similar to, though higher than, that of a conventional x ray.Although severe contrast reactions are rare, they are a risk of many CT procedures. There is also a small risk of renal failure in high-risk patients

It doesn't hurt one bit but the board you lay on might not be that comfortable

A tri-phasic CT scan is a scan which will show three different stages of dye uptake in the body. The first phase will be before the injection of the dye, the second stage will be for when the dye is in the arteries (roughly 20 seconds after injection) and the third phase will be when the dye has reached the veins (a few minutes later). Sometimes a fourth scan is also done to show the dye uptake in the kidneys and bladder.

A tri-phasic scan clearly delineates lesions in the liver and will show problems and irregularities in the arterial and lymphatic system.

A CT or Cat scan is X-Ray Computed Tomography. A scanner takes a large number of two dimensional X-rays of a person rotating around the same axis. The images are then put together by the scanner's computer to make a three dimensional image.

48 hours

No. They would only have you do that if they were planning on using anesthesia for some other reason. Food content won't affect a CT.

blood clot

Side effect of cervical ct scan?

The physical basis of the CT scans lies in the fact that different tissues absorb x rays at different rates.

No, you cannot see an ulcer on a ct scan.

No.

A radiology technologist is a specialist in using medical imaging equipment (x-ray machines, CT scanners, MRI scanner etc).

A radiologist is a doctor that specialises in medical imaging.

A CT scan will show evidence of inflammation, perforation, collection of pus or fluid, lump or swelling or tumours, presence of any stones in the kidneys and gallbladder with any evidence of obstruction etc

The red dye that is used in a CT scan is a contrast dye. The objective of the dye is so that certain parts of the body will show up clearer in an x-ray. Contrast dye is generally given by IV into the hand or arm.

Yes they are.

Nearly all kinds of electromagnetic radiation are emitted during radioactive decay

I have heard the radiation from a CT scan is the same as 700 chest X-Rays. No level of radiation was given. If this is true do you think the people that make the CT scanners want you to know this?

MRI is Magnetic Resonance Imaging and a CAT is a computerized X Ray (Computer Assisted Tomography)

MRI will work fine in case of diagnosis of soft tissues and CT will work fine for bony structures and inner ear analysis.

Also MRI do not use any radiation it is based on magnetic effect so less side effects compared to CT which uses X- rays.

MRI is very much costlier compared to CT.

MRI is problematic in case if the patient is having some metallic implant, which will cause interference with the magnetic field.

In order to determine any hairline crack then MRI would be preferred compared to CT.

A CT scan can often detect evidence of a growth or tumor. If cancer is suspected, a biopsy is usually performed to determine whether the growth is malignant or benign. (I know this because my son, currently in remission from cancer, has had multiple CT scans to look for regrowth of his original tumor. I was told that if a regrowth occured, a biopsy would be done.)

It depends on what is being scanned and how fast the machine is. Machines are like computers (technologywise) a computer from 1995 could still get the work done, but one that is brand new could get it done a lot faster. That being said it also depends on the type of exam. If there is a biopsy involved it could take a few hours. But for a regular run of the mill scan you would be on and off the table in about 10 minutes. (ask for a blanket its really cold in those rooms)

Brain scans can detect tumors, strokes, and hematomas (collections of blood that have escaped from the vessels). The introduction of CT scanning, especially spiral CT, has helped reduce the need for more invasive procedures such as cerebral angiography

A cat scan or CT scan (same thing) shows doctors a slice of the bodies insides, it is good for diagnosing problems with bones and soft organs like liver, bowel, spleen, and pancreas. Plain xrays only show bones and its 2 dimensional. MRIs are good for muscles and tissues like tendons.