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CT scanning—sometimes called CAT scanning—is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. CT imaging combines special x-ray equipment with sophisticated computers to produce multiple images or pictures of the inside of the body. These cross-sectional images of the area being studied can then be examined on a computer monitor or printed. CT scans of internal organs, bone, soft tissue and blood vessels provide greater clarity and reveal more details than regular x-ray exams.
Using specialized equipment and expertise to create and interpret CT scans of the body, radiologists can more easily diagnose problems such as cancers, cardiovascular disease, infectious disease, trauma and musculoskeletal disorders. CT scanning provides more detailed information on head injuries, stroke, brain tumors and other brain diseases than regular radiographs (x-rays). Using CT, the bony structure of the spinal vertebrae is clearly and accurately shown by CT scanning, as are the intervertebral disks and, to some degree, the spinal cord. Perhaps the most frequent use of spinal CT is to detect—or rule out—spinal column damage in patients who have been injured.
What are some common uses of the CT procedure?
CT scanning of the body is:
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- one of the best and fastest tools for studying the chest, abdomen and pelvis because it provides detailed, cross-sectional views of all types of tissue.
- often the preferred method for diagnosing many different cancers, including lung, liver and pancreatic cancer, since the image allows a physician to confirm the presence of a tumor and measure its size, precise location and the extent of the tumor's involvement with other nearby tissue.
- an examination that plays a significant role in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of vascular diseases that can lead to stroke, kidney failure or even death. CT is commonly used to assess for pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lung vessels) as well as for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA).
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CT scanning of the head is typically used to detect:
- bleeding, brain injury and skull fractures in patients with head injuries
- bleeding caused by a ruptured or leaking aneurysm in a patient with a sudden severe headache
- a blood clot or bleeding within the brain shortly after a patient exhibits symptoms of a stroke
- a stroke, especially with a new technique called Perfusion CT
- brain tumors
CT scanning of the spine is also performed to:
- evaluate the spine before and after surgery
- detect various types of tumor in the vertebral column, including those that have spread there from another area of the body. Some tumors that arise elsewhere are first identified by finding deposits of malignant cells (metastases) in the vertebrae; prostate cancer is an example.
- help diagnose spinal pain. One of the most common causes of spinal pain that may be diagnosed by CT is a herniated intervertebral disk, sometime with CT myelography
- guide diagnostic procedures such as the biopsy of a suspicious area to detect cancer, or the removal of fluid from a localized infection (abscess)
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Physicians often use the CT examination to:
- quickly identify injuries to the lungs, heart and vessels, liver, spleen, kidneys or other internal organs in cases of trauma
- guide biopsies and other procedures such as abscess drainages and minimally invasive tumor treatments
- plan for and assess the results of surgery
- measure bone mineral density for the detection of osteoporosis
CT scanning is also performed to:
- evaluate the extent of bone and soft tissue damage in patients with facial trauma, and planning surgical reconstruction
- diagnose diseases of the temporal bone on the side of the skull, which may be causing hearing problems
- determine whether inflammation or other changes are present in the paranasal sinuses
- plan radiation therapy for cancer of the brain or other tissues
- guide the passage of a needle used to obtain a tissue sample (biopsy) from the brain
- assess aneurysms or arteriovenous malformations through a technique called CT angiography.
- In patients with narrowing of the spinal canal, vertebral fracture, infection or degenerative disease such as arthritis, CT of the spine may provide important information when performed alone or in addition to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
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