Computed Tomography (CT), or CAT scan

Computed tomography (CT), uses low doses of X-rays to obtain images of the body. CT scans are highly useful for examining injuries and abnormalities, guiding needle biopsies and aiding in surgical preparation.

The patient is positioned on a table on his or her back, side or stomach, and may be provided with pillows for comfortable support. The table moves very slowly through the doughnut-shaped CT scanner. The X-ray beam inside the CT unit spirals slowly around the patient on all sides, creating 360-degree images or "slices" of the area being examined. As the patient moves through the unit, many slices are captured. The images are then combined to produce a highly detailed, three-dimensional digital image.

CT Scanners are able to offer these advanced applications:

CT Angiography - An accurate picture of blood flow through the vessels of the head, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis and extremities.
3-Dimensional Imaging - A clear 3-D view of bone structure, assessing degenerative or traumatic alterations.
Calcium Scoring - Statistical estimate of your risk for having a heart attack.
In Oncology, CT is used to detect a tumor, provide information about the extent of the disease, help plan treatment, and determine whether the cancer is responding to treatment.

Full-body CT scans examine the torso from the neck to the pelvis in great detail with the goal of detecting developing problems and treating them early, before they even cause any symptoms. CT scanning allows doctors to see structures in the body as small as a hundredth of an inch; full-body imaging of the heart, lungs, abdomen, pelvis and bones can reveal liver and kidney tumors, kidney stones, aneurysms, lung cancer, heart disease, gallstones, benign cysts and tumors, and abnormalities of the ovaries and prostate that you and your primary care physician may not know you have. This painless diagnostic tool may save your life.

Virtual Colonoscopy is a fast and non-invasive colon cancer screening method that offers qualified patients an appealing alternative to uncomfortable barium enemas and traditional colonoscopies. With 4-dimensional "image-in-motion" technology, virtual colonoscopy with CT imaging allows doctors to examine the colon for signs of cancer or pre-cancer without any invasive equipment and with the ability to move anywhere in the imaging area using a joystick-controlled "fly-through" technique.

CT scanning is an invaluable tool in the early detection of lung cancer, which afflicts hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S. each year. Lung cancer has an extremely high mortality rate, but it is believed that early detection and treatment vastly increase a person's chance of surviving this disease. A lung scan can help detect the smallest tumors, potentially before the patient notices any symptoms.

What to Expect

Most CT examinations are similar and include the following steps:

For many types of CT exams, for example CT of the chest or abdomen, you are asked to hold your breath and remain perfectly still for less than 30 seconds while the technologist takes the image. At any time during the CT examination, you may communicate with the technologist using an intercom. The technologist controls the CT examination from a workstation console in the control room next to the room with the CT scanner.
The technologist watches over you during the exam to ensure your comfort and monitors the progress of the image acquisition.
You may hear the CT scanner rotating during the study. Depending upon the type of study being performed, the whirring noise may be very quiet or more noticeable. The table will move very slowly during the CT data acquisition.
Once the CT examination is complete, the technologist will ask you to get dressed and wait while the CT images are reviewed on the monitor.

See Patient Information page for any necessary preparations.

CT Angiogram (CTA)

A CT angiogram (CTA) is a minimally invasive procedure that combines computed tomography with a contrast material to produce detailed images of blood vessels throughout the body and determine if any narrowing has occurred. This procedure takes pictures from several different angles, and then joins them together to create a multi-view, detailed image of the area.

Who is this procedure for?

This procedure can be used to examine blood vessels in the brain, lungs, heart, kidneys, neck, legs, abdomen and more, and is often used to detect atherosclerosis, renal disease, aneurysm, injury and other conditions affecting the blood vessels of the body. Aside from its diagnostic purposes, a CT angiogram can also be used to plan intricate operations such as a coronary bypass, and to help guide surgeons as they make repairs to blood vessels and implant stents and other treatment materials.

What happens during the procedure?

Before the procedure begins, the doctor will administer a small amount of contrast material through intravenous injection, and wait for it to travel to the targeted area. The patient will lie on the exam table and will be moved through the CT machine, which rapidly obtains images of the area. You may be asked to hold your breath while the images are being taken. The cross-sectional images are then reconstructed to create a 3D image of the area. The entire CT angiogram procedure takes 20 to 30 minutes to perform.

What are the benefits of this procedure?

A CT angiogram produces detailed images of the blood vessels that can help detect narrowing and other abnormalities early enough to provide effective treatment, often before surgical intervention is required. CT angiography is less invasive than other types of angiogram procedures and provides more detailed results as well, making it an ideal choice for many patients.

To learn more about our CT / CT Angiogram Scan procedure and to find out if it is right for you, please call 401-738-3100 today to schedule a consultation.

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