{"id":3534,"date":"2020-07-06T12:33:35","date_gmt":"2020-07-06T19:33:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.healthimages.com\/?p=3534"},"modified":"2023-03-14T10:50:39","modified_gmt":"2023-03-14T17:50:39","slug":"types-of-ct-scans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.healthimages.com\/types-of-ct-scans\/","title":{"rendered":"Types of CT Scans"},"content":{"rendered":"
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When your doctor wants to get a better look at what is going on inside your body, they will most likely order imaging. Several different technologies exist to diagnose conditions. Depending on the type of imaging and the area of the body, the method used to capture a picture of the inside of the body might be magnetic waves, ionizing radiation, sound waves or radiotracers. Computed tomography (CT) scans use ionizing radiation, or x-rays, to get an image of the inside of the body. Your doctor might order a CT scan if they believe you have a broken bone or if they are trying to detect tumors or other signs of illness in the body.<\/p>\n
Learn more about the different kinds of CT scans and what you can expect when you get one.<\/p>\n
CT scans, sometimes called CAT scans, are diagnostic imaging procedures. Your doctor will ask you to get a CT scan if they want to get a better idea of what’s happening inside your body.\u00a0CT scans<\/a>\u00a0use the same imaging method as x-rays \u2014 ionizing radiation\u00a0\u2014 but can capture images x-rays cannot. An\u00a0x-ray<\/a>\u00a0captures a two-dimensional picture of a structure inside the body, such as a person’s bones. A CT scan produces a three-dimensional image. The images captured by a CT scan provide a doctor with a clearer view of a patient’s inner organs, blood vessels and soft tissues than a traditional x-ray.<\/p>\n During a CT scan, a patient lies on a table, which slides into a large tube. The tube contains an x-ray machine that takes photos of the inside of the body. Usually, the entire process takes about 15 minutes and is painless. The pictures taken during the scan get sent to a computer. A technologist can assemble the photos to create a 3D image to give to the doctor. It’s also possible for a physician to evaluate the images separately.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The type of CT scan your doctor orders will depend in large part on the area of the body they want to evaluate. Some kinds of CT scan procedures include the following.<\/p>\n Some types of CT scans require the use of a special chemical called contrast, which helps make soft tissue easier to see on the images. Although you might have heard contrast called a dye, it doesn’t change the color of the organs or soft tissues inside the body. Instead, it works by blocking the x-rays. Contrast looks white on the images, making the organs or other tissues stand out.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Not all types of CT scans require contrast. Your doctor will let you know if yours does before you schedule it. Since some people are allergic to the ingredients commonly used in contrast, such as iodine or barium, it’s crucial to tell your doctor about any known allergies before they schedule the scan.<\/p>\n There are different ways of receiving contrast before a scan. You might get it intravenously, through an injection. Your technologist might also give you something to swallow. If you are going to have contrast before a CT scan, you won’t be able to eat or drink anything starting several hours beforehand.<\/p>\n Health Images takes a patient-centric approach to imaging. Whether you need a CT scan with or without contrast, we’ll take the time to explain the process to you and help you feel relaxed and comfortable throughout. We have multiple facilities in and around Denver, Colorado, for your convenience.\u00a0Find the location<\/a>\u00a0nearest you and reach out today to learn more about opening hours, appointments and what you can do to prepare for your CT scan.<\/p>\nCT Scan Machine<\/h3>\n
What Are the Different Kinds of CT Scans?<\/h2>\n
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CT Scan With or Without Contrast<\/h3>\n
Schedule Your CT Scan in Denver, Colorado, Today<\/h2>\n