Wednesday, September 8, 2010

How the CT Scan Tool

                                                          CT Scan. figure via atlantaworkerscompblog

What is a CT of the body?
CT-CAT scans are sometimes called noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat disease.
CT combines special x-ray machines with advanced computers to produce multiple images or pictures of the inside of the body. These cross-sectional images of the surface of the test can be tested on a computer screen, printed or transferred to CD.
Traditional knowledge of the internal organs, bones, soft tissues and blood vessels provide greater clarity and reveal more detail than ordinary X-ray examinations.
Using specialized equipment and knowledge to create and interpret CT of the body, radiologists can more easily diagnose problems such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases, appendicitis, trauma and disorders of the musculoskeletal system .


What are the most common applications of the procedure?
Traditional knowledge:
  • One of the best and fastest tools of control of the chest, abdomen and pelvis, as it contains a detailed breakdown of all types of fabrics.
  • Often the preferred method for diagnosing many different cancers, including lung, liver and pancreas, because the image allows the physician to confirm the presence of the tumor and measure its size, exact location and size of tumor involvement of other nearby tissues.
  • Research, which plays an important role in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of vascular diseases that can lead to stroke, kidney failure and even death. CT is widely used to evaluate cases of pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung vessels), and abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA).
  • Useful in diagnosing and treating spinal problems and the hands, feet and other skeletal structures because it can clearly show even very small bones and surrounding tissues such as muscles and blood vessels blood.


In children, CT is rarely used in the diagnosis of lung cancer or pancreatic tumors and aneurysms of the aorta. For children, CT is increasingly used to assess:
  • Lymphoma
  • Neuroblastoma
  • Vascular malformations
  • Kidney



Doctors use CT:
  • Quickly identify injuries to the lungs, heart and blood vessels, liver, spleen, kidneys, intestines or other internal organs in case of injury.
  • Guide biopsies and other procedures such as drainage of abscesses and minimally invasive treatment of tumors.
  • Planning and evaluation of results of operations, such as organ transplants or gastric bypass.
  • Planning and radiotherapy properly manage and monitor tumor response to chemotherapy.
  • Measure the bone mineral density to detect osteoporosis.


How do I prepare?

Wear comfortable clothes for the examination. You can have a dress to wear during the procedure.

Metal objects, including jewelry, eyeglasses, dentures and hairpins may affect the CT images and should not be at home or removed before the examination. You may also be asked to remove hearing aids and removable dental work.

You may be asked not to eat or drink for several hours in advance, especially if a contrast material will be used for the examination. Tell your doctor before taking any medication, or if you have allergies. If you have a known allergy to contrast material or "dye", the doctor may prescribe medication to reduce the risk of allergic reactions.

You should also inform your doctor of any recent illness or other medical conditions, and if you have a history of heart disease, asthma, diabetes, kidney or thyroid problems. Each of these conditions can increase the risk of unusual adverse reactions.

Women should always inform your doctor and the CT technician if there is a possibility they are pregnant.


What is the material like?

scanner is usually a large box with a hole like a machine or a small tunnel in the center. You will lie on an examining table that slides into the narrow tunnel. Turning around you, x-ray tube and electronic x-ray detectors are located opposite each other in the ring, called the gantry. Computer workstation that processes the information image is in a separate room where the technician operating the scanner and monitoring of research.

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