CT Scans

• What Is a Computed Tomography (CT) Scan?
• Uses for CT Scans
• Types of CT Scans
• CT Scan FAQ’s
  • How will I prepare for my CT Scan?
  • What will happen during the exam?

A computed tomography scan, more commonly referred to as CT or CAT scans, is medical imaging formed through a series of X-ray views taken from different angles, allowing for three-dimensional representations of bodily structures. The images produced enable doctors to look inside your body, similar to looking at the inside of a loaf of bread by slicing it. The special X-ray images are of the slices of bodily structures that doctors are interested in examining more closely. At Health Images, our CT scanner produces spiral slices, which is the latest and fastest CT scan technology available.

CT scans are frequently used to evaluate the brain, spine, neck, abdomen and chest, providing clear images of both soft and hard tissue.

The pictures produced by a CT scan allow doctors to make medical decisions very quickly if need be. Because of this, CT exams are one of the most commonly performed medical procedures in both hospitals and imaging centers. These scans help doctors find diseases and injuries that previously could only be found through surgery or an autopsy. Although it uses low dose radiation, CT scans are relatively safe and non-invasive.

Find Your Nearest Location

CT scans are useful in many different medical situations in which diagnostic imagery is needed. They can evaluate subtle abnormalities in your soft tissue, such as the brain or other organs. These images are also used when you have specific symptoms like pain or dizziness. They can even be helpful in examining the spread of diseases like cancer.

Depending on where the CT scan is directed in your body, there are a variety of uses:

• Head or Brain CT Scans: Look for masses, stroke, bleeds and other abnormalities, as well as examine the skull
• Neck CT Scans: Study lumps and look for enlarged lymph nodes or glands
• Chest CT Scans: Offer further insight into abnormalities caught by a regular chest X-ray
• Abdominal or Pelvic CT Scans: Check the organs found in this region and diagnose unexplained abdominal pain
• Sinus CT Scans: Diagnose and detect sinus disease or obstructions
• Spine CT Scans: Detect spine issues like narrowing of the spinal canal or a herniated disc, as well as fractures

Types of CT Scans

At Health Images, we specialize in various types of CT scans, including:

• Computerized Axial Tomography: Also referred to as a CT or CAT scan, this is a computerized X-ray procedure that provides a three-dimensional scan of your brain or other parts of your body. It’s commonly used to find irregularities, disease or internal damage, but can also help guide surgeons during complicated operations. During a CT scan, you must lay on your back as your body moves through a tube. The entire procedure usually takes 30 minutes or less.
• CT Angiography: This minimally invasive medical test helps doctors diagnose and treat a variety of medical conditions. Frequently, a contrast dye is injected through an IV during the CT scan to produce detailed images of your blood vessels and tissues. A CT angiogram helps us determine if a blood vessel is blocked. If it is blocked, the images then allow us to find where the blockage is, as well as how big it is. It also helps us identify aneurysms or plaque buildup. CT angiograms are less invasive than standard angiograms.
• CT Urography: A urography is a specialized radiological exam that focuses on evaluating the urinary tract, specifically the kidneys, ureters and bladder. It uses CT technology to produce cross-sectional images of these internal organs, which allows your physician to diagnose conditions and plan a course of action. It’s often used to detect kidney stones or evaluate patients who have blood in their urine.