CT scan
CAT scan; Computed axial tomography scan; Computed tomography scanA 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 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
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
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
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Kidney cyst with gallstones - CT scan
A CT scan of the upper abdomen showing a fist-sized cyst of the left kidney and gallstones (the kidney cyst was found by chance; there were no symptoms).
Kidney cyst with gallstones - CT scan
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Kidney and liver cysts - CT scan
This abdominal CT scan shows cysts in the liver and kidneys (polycystic disease). The liver is the large organ on the left side of the screen. The dark spots in the liver are cysts.
Kidney and liver cysts - CT scan
illustration
Liver and spleen cysts - CT scan
This abdominal CT scan shows multiple cysts in the liver and spleen. Note the dark circular cyst in the liver (left side of screen) and the large, irregular, circular cyst in the spleen (bottom, right side of screen).
Liver and spleen cysts - CT scan
illustration
Bronchial cancer - CT scan
This chest CT scan shows a cross-section of a person with bronchial cancer. The two dark areas are the lungs. The light areas within the lungs represent the cancer.
Bronchial cancer - CT scan
illustration
Cholecystitis, CT scan
This is a CT scan of the upper abdomen showing cholecystitis (gall stones).
Cholecystitis, CT scan
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Pancreatitis, chronic - CT scan
CT scan of the upper abdomen showing multiple white-colored calcifications. These occur in chronic pancreatitis.
Pancreatitis, chronic - CT scan
illustration
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
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
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
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
Kidney cyst with gallstones - CT scan
A CT scan of the upper abdomen showing a fist-sized cyst of the left kidney and gallstones (the kidney cyst was found by chance; there were no symptoms).
Kidney cyst with gallstones - CT scan
illustration
Kidney and liver cysts - CT scan
This abdominal CT scan shows cysts in the liver and kidneys (polycystic disease). The liver is the large organ on the left side of the screen. The dark spots in the liver are cysts.
Kidney and liver cysts - CT scan
illustration
Liver and spleen cysts - CT scan
This abdominal CT scan shows multiple cysts in the liver and spleen. Note the dark circular cyst in the liver (left side of screen) and the large, irregular, circular cyst in the spleen (bottom, right side of screen).
Liver and spleen cysts - CT scan
illustration
Bronchial cancer - CT scan
This chest CT scan shows a cross-section of a person with bronchial cancer. The two dark areas are the lungs. The light areas within the lungs represent the cancer.
Bronchial cancer - CT scan
illustration
Cholecystitis, CT scan
This is a CT scan of the upper abdomen showing cholecystitis (gall stones).
Cholecystitis, CT scan
illustration
Pancreatitis, chronic - CT scan
CT scan of the upper abdomen showing multiple white-colored calcifications. These occur in chronic pancreatitis.
Pancreatitis, chronic - CT scan
illustration
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
CT scan
CAT scan; Computed axial tomography scan; Computed tomography scanA 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 scan
CT scan
CAT scan; Computed axial tomography scan; Computed tomography scanA 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 scan
Review Date: 7/3/2020
Reviewed By: Jason Levy, MD, Northside Radiology Associates, Atlanta, GA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.