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
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
Neuroblastoma in the liver - CT scan
This CT scan of the upper abdomen shows a large tumor (neuroblastoma) on the person's right side (lower left side of picture). The tumor is behind the liver and is pushing the liver forward and may have possibly spread into the liver tissue.
Neuroblastoma in the liver - 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
Lymphoma, malignant - CT scan
This abdominal CT scan shows tumor masses (malignant lymphomas) in the area behind the peritoneal cavity (retroperitoneal space).
Lymphoma, malignant - CT scan
illustration
Cholecystitis, CT scan
This is a CT scan of the upper abdomen showing cholecystitis (gall stones).
Cholecystitis, CT scan
illustration
Fatty liver - CT scan
A CT scan of the upper abdomen showing a fatty liver (steatosis of the liver). Note the liver enlargement and dark color compared with the spleen (gray body in lower right).
Fatty liver - 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
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
Neuroblastoma in the liver - CT scan
This CT scan of the upper abdomen shows a large tumor (neuroblastoma) on the person's right side (lower left side of picture). The tumor is behind the liver and is pushing the liver forward and may have possibly spread into the liver tissue.
Neuroblastoma in the liver - 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
Lymphoma, malignant - CT scan
This abdominal CT scan shows tumor masses (malignant lymphomas) in the area behind the peritoneal cavity (retroperitoneal space).
Lymphoma, malignant - CT scan
illustration
Cholecystitis, CT scan
This is a CT scan of the upper abdomen showing cholecystitis (gall stones).
Cholecystitis, CT scan
illustration
Fatty liver - CT scan
A CT scan of the upper abdomen showing a fatty liver (steatosis of the liver). Note the liver enlargement and dark color compared with the spleen (gray body in lower right).
Fatty liver - 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
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.