Exam Details - CT Computed Tomography
Available at:
DC, Chevy Chase, and Sterling
Used To:
- Provides detailed organ studies by stacking individual image slices
Why:
- Many reasons for exam
How:
- Uses tomography uses an x-ray beam that rotates around the patient
- X-ray passes through the body and are detected by sensors
- The information from the sensors is processed by a computer and displayed as an image on the video screen
- Images produced are visual slices of anatomy (cross-sections)
- Provides detailed organ studies by stacking individual image slices
- This technique is very useful in imaging the internal portion of the organs and separates overlapping structures precisely
- Contrast material is sometimes used for more detail
Contrast:
- Contrast material blocks the penetration of x-rays through selected parts of the body
- Helps visualize an organ on x-ray film
- Examples of contrast are barium and iodine
- Barium is an "oral" contrast and is used for filling the large and small intestines
- Iodine is an "I.V" (intravenous) contrast and is used to highlight organs and blood vessels
Machine:
EDITED: 04/25/2019
