Saira AhmadSaira AhmadUOGUOG

CAT ScansCAT Scans((Computerized axial tomography)Computerized axial tomography)

Topic:Topic:

What is a CAT scan?What is a CAT scan?

The name stands for computerized axial The name stands for computerized axial tomography.tomography.

A more advanced procedure of an x-ray.A more advanced procedure of an x-ray.

Involves a computer to give doctors cross Involves a computer to give doctors cross sectional views and also 3-D images of sectional views and also 3-D images of different structures of the body and also different structures of the body and also internal organs. internal organs.

What does the equipment look like?What does the equipment look like?

The CT scanner is typically a large, box like The CT scanner is typically a large, box like machine with a hole, or short tunnel, in the center. machine with a hole, or short tunnel, in the center.

You will lie on a narrow examination table that You will lie on a narrow examination table that slides into and out of this tunnel. slides into and out of this tunnel.

Rotating around you, the x-ray tube and electronic Rotating around you, the x-ray tube and electronic x-ray detectors are located opposite each other in x-ray detectors are located opposite each other in a ring, called a gantry. The computer workstation a ring, called a gantry. The computer workstation that processes the imaging information is located that processes the imaging information is located in a separate room, in a separate room,

How does the procedure work?How does the procedure work?

Numerous x-ray beams and electronic x-ray Numerous x-ray beams and electronic x-ray detectors rotate around you, measuring the detectors rotate around you, measuring the amount of radiation being absorbed amount of radiation being absorbed throughout your body. throughout your body.

At the same time, the examination table is At the same time, the examination table is moving through the scanner, so that the x-moving through the scanner, so that the x-ray beam follows a spiral path. ray beam follows a spiral path.

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A special computer program processes this A special computer program processes this large volume of data to create two-large volume of data to create two-dimensional cross-sectional images of your dimensional cross-sectional images of your body, which are then displayed on a body, which are then displayed on a monitor. monitor.

This technique is called helical or spiral CT.This technique is called helical or spiral CT.

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Modern CT scanners are so fast that they Modern CT scanners are so fast that they can scan through large sections of the can scan through large sections of the body in just a few seconds. Such speed is body in just a few seconds. Such speed is beneficial for all patients.beneficial for all patients.

For children, the CT scanner technique will For children, the CT scanner technique will be adjusted to reduce the radiation dose.be adjusted to reduce the radiation dose.

CT scanning of the body is usually CT scanning of the body is usually completed within 30 minutes.completed within 30 minutes.

What is the use for a CAT What is the use for a CAT Scan?Scan?

To find to find abnormal structures in the body To find to find abnormal structures in the body and helps to accurately guide the placement of and helps to accurately guide the placement of instruments or treatments. instruments or treatments.

To analyze internal structures of the body.To analyze internal structures of the body.

Can identify head Can identify head injuriesinjuries, blood clots, tumors, , blood clots, tumors, and problems in the neck, chest, abdomen and and problems in the neck, chest, abdomen and brain. brain.

Can measure bone density to evaluate Can measure bone density to evaluate osteoporosis accurately. osteoporosis accurately.

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•It is also sometimes used to look at the skull. •A neck CT checks the soft tissues of the neck and to look for enlarged lymph nodes or glands. •CT of the chest is frequently used to further study an abnormality on a plain chest x-ray.

BenefitsBenefits

PainlessPainlessCan greatly help doctors locate Can greatly help doctors locate abnormalities within the body. abnormalities within the body. Can guide radiologists in performing Can guide radiologists in performing biopsies if cancer is suspected, removing biopsies if cancer is suspected, removing body fluids for different types of tests. body fluids for different types of tests. Doing so can greatly reduce the need for Doing so can greatly reduce the need for surgery and yet will accomplish the same surgery and yet will accomplish the same goal. goal.

Some of the RisksSome of the Risks

Very low risk, however some minor side Very low risk, however some minor side effects, (itching, rashes, etc.). However effects, (itching, rashes, etc.). However medications are commonly used to treat medications are commonly used to treat these. these. Patients with kidney failure, diabetics or Patients with kidney failure, diabetics or ones who are constantly dehydrated were ones who are constantly dehydrated were denied CAT Scans. BUT, today’s denied CAT Scans. BUT, today’s improvements have eliminated the improvements have eliminated the problems those faced. problems those faced.

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There is always a slight chance of cancer There is always a slight chance of cancer from excessive exposure to radiation. from excessive exposure to radiation. However, the benefit of an accurate However, the benefit of an accurate diagnosis far outweighs the risk. diagnosis far outweighs the risk.

CT scanning is, in general, not CT scanning is, in general, not recommended for pregnant women unless recommended for pregnant women unless medically necessary because of potential medically necessary because of potential risk to the baby. risk to the baby.

Because children are more sensitive to Because children are more sensitive to radiation, they should have a CT study radiation, they should have a CT study only if it is essential for making a diagnosis only if it is essential for making a diagnosis and should not have repeated CT studies and should not have repeated CT studies unless absolutely necessary.unless absolutely necessary.