CT scan

CAT scan; Computed axial tomography scan; Computed tomography scan

A computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create pictures of cross-sections of the body. Related tests include:Abdominal and pelvis CT scanCranial or head CT scanCervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral spine CT scanOrbit CT scanChest CT scanCT angiogram

Read Full Article

 
  • CT scan

    CT scan

    CT stands for computerized tomography. In this procedure, a thin X-ray beam is rotated around the area of the body to be visualized. Using very complicated mathematical processes called algorithms, the computer is able to generate a 3-D image of a section through the body. CT scans are very detailed and provide excellent information for the physician.

    CT scan

    illustration

  • CT scan of the brain

    CT scan of the brain

    A CT or CAT scan (computed tomography) is a much more sensitive imaging technique than x-ray, allowing high definition not only of the bony structures, but of the soft tissues. Clear images of organs such as the brain, muscles, joint structures, veins and arteries, as well as anomalies like tumors and hemorrhages may be obtained with or without the injection of contrasting dye.

    CT scan of the brain

    illustration

  • Intracerebellar hemorrhage - CT scan

    Intracerebellar hemorrhage - CT scan

    Intracerebellar hemorrhage shown by CT scan. This hemorrhage followed use of t-PA.

    Intracerebellar hemorrhage - CT scan

    illustration

  • Pulmonary nodule, solitary - CT scan

    Pulmonary nodule, solitary - CT scan

    This CT scan shows a single lesion (pulmonary nodule) in the right lung. This nodule is seen as the light circle in the upper portion of the dark area on the left side of the picture. A normal lung would look completely black in a CT scan.

    Pulmonary nodule, solitary - CT scan

    illustration

  • Liver echinococcus - CT scan

    Liver echinococcus - CT scan

    This upper abdominal CT scan shows multiple cysts in the liver, caused by dog tapeworm (echinococcus). Note the large circular cyst (seen on the left side of the screen) and multiple smaller cysts throughout the liver.

    Liver echinococcus - CT scan

    illustration

  • Intra-abdominal abscess - CT scan

    Intra-abdominal abscess - CT scan

    CT scan of the pelvis showing a large intra-abdominal mass.

    Intra-abdominal abscess - CT scan

    illustration

  • Pancreatic cancer, CT scan

    Pancreatic cancer, CT scan

    A CT scan of the upper abdomen showing a tumor (pancreas carcinoma) in the head of the pancreas, seen here in the middle of the picture.

    Pancreatic cancer, CT scan

    illustration

  • Pancreatic pseudocyst - CT scan

    Pancreatic pseudocyst - CT scan

    A CT scan of the upper abdomen showing a pseudocyst in the corpus, or tail, of the pancreas.

    Pancreatic pseudocyst - CT scan

    illustration

  • Liver with disproportional fattening - CT scan

    Liver with disproportional fattening - CT scan

    A CT scan of the upper abdomen showing disproportional steatosis (fattening) of the liver.

    Liver with disproportional fattening - CT scan

    illustration

  • Lung mass, right lung - CT scan

    Lung mass, right lung - CT scan

    This is a CT scan of the upper chest showing a mass in the right lung (seen on the left side of the picture).

    Lung mass, right lung - CT scan

    illustration

    • CT scan

      CT scan

      CT stands for computerized tomography. In this procedure, a thin X-ray beam is rotated around the area of the body to be visualized. Using very complicated mathematical processes called algorithms, the computer is able to generate a 3-D image of a section through the body. CT scans are very detailed and provide excellent information for the physician.

      CT scan

      illustration

    • CT scan of the brain

      CT scan of the brain

      A CT or CAT scan (computed tomography) is a much more sensitive imaging technique than x-ray, allowing high definition not only of the bony structures, but of the soft tissues. Clear images of organs such as the brain, muscles, joint structures, veins and arteries, as well as anomalies like tumors and hemorrhages may be obtained with or without the injection of contrasting dye.

      CT scan of the brain

      illustration

    • Intracerebellar hemorrhage - CT scan

      Intracerebellar hemorrhage - CT scan

      Intracerebellar hemorrhage shown by CT scan. This hemorrhage followed use of t-PA.

      Intracerebellar hemorrhage - CT scan

      illustration

    • Pulmonary nodule, solitary - CT scan

      Pulmonary nodule, solitary - CT scan

      This CT scan shows a single lesion (pulmonary nodule) in the right lung. This nodule is seen as the light circle in the upper portion of the dark area on the left side of the picture. A normal lung would look completely black in a CT scan.

      Pulmonary nodule, solitary - CT scan

      illustration

    • Liver echinococcus - CT scan

      Liver echinococcus - CT scan

      This upper abdominal CT scan shows multiple cysts in the liver, caused by dog tapeworm (echinococcus). Note the large circular cyst (seen on the left side of the screen) and multiple smaller cysts throughout the liver.

      Liver echinococcus - CT scan

      illustration

    • Intra-abdominal abscess - CT scan

      Intra-abdominal abscess - CT scan

      CT scan of the pelvis showing a large intra-abdominal mass.

      Intra-abdominal abscess - CT scan

      illustration

    • Pancreatic cancer, CT scan

      Pancreatic cancer, CT scan

      A CT scan of the upper abdomen showing a tumor (pancreas carcinoma) in the head of the pancreas, seen here in the middle of the picture.

      Pancreatic cancer, CT scan

      illustration

    • Pancreatic pseudocyst - CT scan

      Pancreatic pseudocyst - CT scan

      A CT scan of the upper abdomen showing a pseudocyst in the corpus, or tail, of the pancreas.

      Pancreatic pseudocyst - CT scan

      illustration

    • Liver with disproportional fattening - CT scan

      Liver with disproportional fattening - CT scan

      A CT scan of the upper abdomen showing disproportional steatosis (fattening) of the liver.

      Liver with disproportional fattening - CT scan

      illustration

    • Lung mass, right lung - CT scan

      Lung mass, right lung - CT scan

      This is a CT scan of the upper chest showing a mass in the right lung (seen on the left side of the picture).

      Lung mass, right lung - CT scan

      illustration


    Review Date: 7/5/2022

    Reviewed By: Jason Levy, MD, FSIR, Northside Radiology Associates, Atlanta, GA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

    The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

     

     

     

    A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
    Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.