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 scanCT angiogram
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
Intracerebellar hemorrhage - CT scan
Intracerebellar hemorrhage shown by CT scan. This hemorrhage followed use of t-PA.
Intracerebellar hemorrhage - CT scan
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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
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
CT scan of the pelvis showing a large intra-abdominal mass.
Intra-abdominal abscess - 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
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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
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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
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 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
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
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
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
CT scan of the pelvis showing a large intra-abdominal mass.
Intra-abdominal abscess - 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
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
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
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
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 scanCT angiogram
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 scanCT angiogram
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.