What is a ct scan?

CT scans also termed as computer tomography, is an imaging test that involves taking the circular images of the body and then produces what a picture on the computer that looks like a slice through the body.

2. CTscansalsotermedascomputertomography,isan
imagingtestthatinvolvestakingthecircularimagesof
thebodyandthenproduceswhatapictureonthe
computerthatlookslikeaslicethroughthebody.
NowifwetrytounderstandwhataCATscanisand
howitisdifferentfromaCTscanthen,aCATscan
standsforcomputeraxialtomographywhichisan
exactlysimilartoaCTscan.Theimagesthatare
acquiredthroughaCT/CATscanaretakeninaspecial
planethatisaxialplanewhichgaveCTscananother
namei.e.CATscans.Inotherwordswecansaythat
CATscaninvolvestakingofimagesaxiallyand
tomographymeansslicesofthebody.

3. TheCTscanisascreeningtestthatcanusedfor
diagnosis’sofdifferenttypesofpathologythatincludes
takingdetailedimagesofvascularbonesorimagesthat
givesinformationregardingthesofttissuespresentin
thebody.LetusunderstandhowtheCTscanmachine
operates:
Thepatientsareinstructedtoliedownonthemachine
thatisintheshapeofabigdoughnutthatisopened
fromboththesides.Thetableonwhichthepatient’slay
slowlymovesintothetunnelshapedmachine.
ThemachineconsistsofanX-rayemitterthatisatan
angleof180degreesfromthereceiverforthesame.
Nowtheemitterandthereceivermovesimultaneously.
TheX-raysemittedarereceivedatmanypointsbythe
receiver,untilitcreatesaperfectcircle.

4. Sometimethereisapossibilitythatimagesthatare
obtainedthroughinthefirstroundarenotperfect.In
suchaconditiontheemittermovesagain.
Theseseriesofrotationaroundthebodycreates
multipleimagesthataretermedassliceswhichareand
thenstackstogethersoastoprovidethephysicianwith
athreedimensionalanatomicalimageryforthe
concernedbodypart.

5. TomakeCT/CATScanasimpleprocedureforthe
patientitisnecessarythatradiologistprovidethemwith
thecompletesetofinstructionswhicharenecessaryto
beimplementedbythemwhilegoingthroughatest.
Thepreparationsthatshouldbedonebythepatient
sidearementionedbelow:
Informationregardingthemedicalconditions:
Providingthedoctorwithcompleteinformation
regardingthemedicalconditionssuchaspregnancy,
allergiesoranyrecentsurgicalprocedurethatcanmake
youineligibleforthetestisoneofthemostessential
stepsthatshouldbepursuedbyeachpatientpriortothe
test.

6. Following a proper diet before the test:
Patients are advised by the doctor’s to avoid intake of
any solid food before the test. The patients are kept on
a strict liquid diet for at least four hours before the test
is performed. Sometime there is also a possibility that
you will be required to come with an empty stomach at
the diagnostic center. This main depends on the
condition of the person.
Wear comfortable clothing:
Patients are advised to wear cloths which are loose and
comfortable. Sometime patients are instructed to put on
a hospital gown before they go for a scan.
Removal of any accessory:
Patients are strictly advised by the radiologists to remove
all of their jewelry whether it is a watch, key, earring,
clips, dentures or any other thing that can affect the
reliability of the scan.

7. What are the Benefits of CT/CAT scan over
other screening tests?
Comparing a CT scan with an X-rays:
X-Rayisatwodimensionalimagethatinvolvespassing
ofahighelectromagneticradiationthroughthepatient’s
bodythathelpsinprojectinganimageonanX-Ray
film.WhereasaCTscancanbeusedasathree
dimensionalimagingtest.ACTscanisusedto
demonstratetheworkingofthesofttissuesinthebody
thatcannotbeviewedonanX-Ray.TheX-raytakesjust
oneimagewhichsometimesdoesn’tprovidethe
completeinformation.InsuchasituationaCTscan
providestobeusefulasittakesimagesintheformof
slicesandprovideadetailedpictureofthebodyparts.

8. ComparingCTscanswithUltrasound:
CTscanisamorepreferredscanoveranultrasoundas
ultrasoundmainlyprovidesacompleteoneimageofthe
bodypart,whereasinthecaseofCTscanasistakes
slicesfromdifferentanglehenceitqualifiesinproviding
adetailedimagethatcanhelpthedoctorseeanykind
ofabnormalitiesorblockageintheconcernedbody
part.

9. Thank You