Computed Tomography (CT)

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Specialized Radiologists:

Brett MacAdam MD
Brett MacAdam, MD
photo of Casey Cotton DO
Casey Cotton, DO
DILLARD JOE
Joseph Dillard, MD
Dr. Kalie Adler DO
Kalie Adler, DO
Brian Christenson
Brian Christenson, MD
Bret Martell MD
Bret Martell, MD
Dr. Brad Weldon
Stephen Bradley Weldon, MD
Rex Dietz
Rex Dietz, MD
David Kim, MD
David Kim, MD
John Bisges
John D. Bisges, MD

Specialized Radiologists:

Dr. Kalie Adler DO
Kalie Adler, DO
John Bisges
John D. Bisges, MD
Bret Martell MD
Bret Martell, MD
photo of Casey Cotton DO
Casey Cotton, DO
Brett MacAdam MD
Brett MacAdam, MD
David Kim, MD
David Kim, MD
Brian Christenson
Brian Christenson, MD
Rex Dietz
Rex Dietz, MD
DILLARD JOE
Joseph Dillard, MD
Dr. Brad Weldon
Stephen Bradley Weldon, MD

Computed tomography, also commonly referred to as a CAT scan, is a medical imaging method that provides detailed 3-D images of areas inside the body. CT uses a thin beam of x-rays to take a series of cross-sectional pictures of specific organs or areas inside the body from multiple different angles. The CT’s computer then analyzes the pictures and constructs a three dimensional image of the area of interest. During some CT scans, a contrast medium, or “dye”, is used to outline blood vessels or highlight organs of the body so that they can be seen more easily.

CT images of internal organs, bones, soft tissue and blood vessels typically provide greater detail than traditional x-rays, particularly of soft tissues and blood vessels.

Using specialized equipment and expertise to create and interpret CT scans of the body, radiologists can more easily diagnose problems such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, infectious disease, appendicitis, trauma and musculoskeletal disorders.

What are some common uses of the procedure?

CT imaging is:

  • one of the fastest and most accurate tools for examining the chest, abdomen and pelvis because it provides detailed, cross-sectional views of all types of tissue.
  • used to examine patients with injuries from trauma
  • performed on patients with acute symptoms such as chest or abdominal pain or difficulty breathing.
  • often the best method for detecting many different cancers, such as lymphoma and cancers of the lung, liver, kidney, ovary and pancreas since the image allows a physician to confirm the presence of a tumor, measure its size, identify its precise location and determine the extent of its involvement with other nearby tissue.
  • an examination that plays a significant role in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of vascular diseases that can lead to stroke, kidney failure or even death. CT is commonly used to assess for pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lung vessels) as well as for aortic aneurysms.
  • invaluable in diagnosing and treating spinal problems and injuries to the hands, feet and other skeletal structures because it can clearly show even very small bones as well as surrounding tissues such as muscle and blood vessels.

Learn more about CT at radiologyinfo.org

Cat scan