A CT (computed tomography) scan is a computer-processed combination of many X-ray images taken from different angles to produce cross-sectional images of specific areas of a scanned object, allowing to see inside the object without cutting.
Types of CT scan machines
CT scan technology is evolving constantly, which brings the even better quality of the picture. Newer CT scans called “spiral” or “helical” CT scans can provide more rapid and accurate visualization of the internal organs. High-resolution CT scans (HRCT) are often used to accurately assess the lungs for inflammation and scarring. In multislice CT (MSCT) scan, a higher number of tomographic slices allow for higher resolution imaging.
Medical use of CT scan
CT has become an important tool in medical imaging to supplement X-ray sand medical ultrasonography. It has more recently been used for preventive medicine or screening for disease, for example, CT colonography for a high risk of colon cancer, or full-motion heart scans for high risk of heart disease of the people.
- Head : It commonly uses CT scanning of the head to detect infarction, hemorrhage, tumors, calcifications, and bone trauma.
- Lungs : CT scan used for detecting both acute and chronic changes in lung parenchyma, the internals of lungs. A variety of techniques is used, depending on the suspected abnormality.
- Pulmonary angiogram : CT pulmonary angiogram is a medical diagnostic test used to diagnose pulmonary embolism. It uses computed tomography, and iodine predicated contrast agent to get an image of the pulmonary arteries.
- Cardiac : Allowing excellent imaging of the coronary arteries.
- Abdominal and pelvic : CT scan is the accurate technique for diagnosis of abdominal diseases. It can diagnosis and staging of cancer, and follow-up after cancer treatment. It is very commonly used to investigate acute abdominal pain.
- Extremities : It often uses a CT scan to image complex fractures. They can easily recognize fractures, ligamentous injuries, and the dislocations with a 0.2 mm resolution.
Adverse effects of CT scan
- Cancer : The radiation used in CT scans can damage the body cells, including DNA molecules, which may lead to cancer. Compared to the lowest dose x-ray techniques, CT scans can have 100 to 1,000 times higher than conventional X-rays.
- Contrast : CT scans involve intravenous injected radiocontrast agents. The most common reactions are nausea, vomiting, and an itching rash.
Most popular CT Scan Brand
Better patient watch, enhanced efficiency, extended applications with smart technologies is a suite of intelligent CT tools performed to support you achieve these targets, giving diagnostic confidence with lower levels of
radioactivity. Following are some reputed brands:
- GE Healthcare
- Siemens Healthcare
- Fujifilm Holdings
- Philips Healthcare
- Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
- Shimadzu Corporation
- Carestream Health
- Hitachi Medical Corporation
- Hologic
- Esaote
- GE VCT 64 Slice CT Scanner
- Refurbished CT Scan Machine
- Single slice CT Scanner
- Schiller 32 Slice Portable CT Scanners
- Aquilion 64 ( 64 Slice) CT Scanner