A computerized tomography scan (CT or CAT scan) uses computers and rotating X-ray machines to create cross-sectional images of the body. These images provide more detailed information than normal X-ray images. They can show the soft tissues, blood vessels, and bones in various parts of the body. A CT scan may be used to visualize the
During a CT scan, the patient lies on a table that moves through a doughnut-like ring known as a gantry, according to the NIBIB. The gantry has an X-ray tube that rotates around the patient while shooting narrow beams of X-rays through the body. The X- rays are picked up by digital detectors directly opposite the source After the X-ray source completes a full rotation, a sophisticated computer creates a 2D image of that slice of the body, which typically ranges from 0.04 to 0.4 inches (1 to 10 millimeters) thick The computer then combines several 2D slices to create a 3D image of the body, making it easier for a doctor to pinpoint where the patient's problem exists. The scan itself typically takes less than 15 minutes depending on the area of the body being imaged
CT scan images help doctors diagnose and pinpoint infections, musele disorders, bone fractures, cancer, tumors and other abnormalities. In emergency situations, CT scans are life-saving tools that allow doctors to quickly determine the extent of internal injuries or internal bleeding, according to the Radiological Society of North America CT scans are also vital in cancer diagnosis, treatment and research, according to Risks involved Depending on the area of the body being scanned, there may be risk of radiation exposure, according to the American College of Radiology Imaging Network(ACRIN). X-rays are a source of ionizing radiation, which can damage the National Cancer Institute
