Computed tomography (CT) is a noninvasive medical imaging method that creates a two- or three-dimensional image of the area being scanned. It can scan different types of body matter and has a wide range of uses in medicine, but it requires more radiation than traditional X-rays. CT scans are not suitable for pregnant women, nursing mothers, and some people who cannot physically get into the machines.
Computed tomography, or CT scan, is a noninvasive medical imaging method typically used for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. A series of cross-sectional radiographs are taken and combined to form a complete, two- or three-dimensional image of the area being scanned. CT scans are also called computed tomography scans or CAT scans.
Computed tomography is valuable because it can scan and represent different types of body matter, such as bone, soft tissue, and blood vessels. It can also scan different body parts separately or can be used for a full body scan. Usually, a dye is injected into the patient as a contrast material and then placed into the cylindrical CT scanning machine which takes the images.
Computed tomography has a wide range of uses in medicine. It can show tumors in different parts of the body, helping doctors measure their spread and apply targeted treatments. Any abnormal growth or structure such as cysts, tumors, abscesses, kidney or bladder stones can also be detected. CT scans can also be used to help evaluate areas of trauma and identify any structural damage. In all cases, computed tomography can provide a detailed examination of the body to develop the best and most accurate treatment for the patient.
There are pros and cons to using computed tomography in medical procedures. Computed tomography requires more radiation than traditional X-rays, and the more detailed and complex the CT scan, the more radiation exposure the patient receives. However, for most patients, the risk of allowing a problem like cancer to continue unchecked is worse than the risks from radiation exposure. Furthermore, the quality of computed tomography is much higher than that of a traditional radiography. It allows for quick identification of things like internal bleeding, which a traditional x-ray would not be able to detect. Some other problems with computed tomography are the associated costs, but as technology advances the cost of these procedures decreases.
While computed tomography can provide a lot of important information to a medical team, there are some people for whom it is not suitable. The radiation it involves precludes pregnant women and the dye that is injected requires nursing mothers to take precautions. Children should not take them unless medically necessary, and even then, repeated exposure should be avoided as much as possible. Some people can’t even physically get into the machines, so accommodations need to be made to help these people. Also, some areas to be scanned might also be looked at on an MRI, or MRI, and are therefore not worth the risk of a computed tomography scan.
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