CT scan (computed tomography) scans are powerful medical imaging tools that help doctors see inside the human body with exceptional detail. CT scans are most common because of their ability to assess a wide range of conditions. These scans are like special cameras that take cross-sectional pictures of your body, allowing doctors to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions. In this blog, let’s explore the different types of CT scans and discover how they improve healthcare and save lives.
Kinds of CT Scans
CT Angiography (CTA)
It is a specialized form of CT Scan used to visualize blood vessels. It helps detect any problems in the blood vessels, like blockages, swellings (called aneurysms), or abnormal shapes. It’s like making a map of the blood vessels inside your body to check if they’re healthy.
HRCT
Doctors use this type when they need very detailed pictures of your body, especially your lungs. It helps them see tiny structures inside your body, like airways and blood vessels, in high detail. They use it to diagnose lung conditions like pneumonia or fibrosis.
PET CT Scan
PET CT Scan combines two types of scans. Positron Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography. It checks for diseases, especially cancer. It also evaluates conditions such as Epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease and coronary artery disease. The PET part shows areas in your body where cells are very active, which can be a sign of disease. The CT Scan part provides detailed images of your body structures. So, together, they give doctors a good view of what’s going on inside you, helping them diagnose and plan treatment for various conditions, including cancer.
CT Scans with Contrast Agent
Contrast Agent is a special dye administered in imaging methods to gain better visualization of the internal organs. Individuals undergoing a CT scan with contrast will have the contrast dye put into their system either through an intravenous (IV) injection or orally.
Head CT
A head CT examines various conditions such as head injuries, severe headaches, dizziness, aneurysms, bleeding, strokes, and brain tumours. It also aids doctors in assessing the face, sinuses, and skull and planning radiation therapy for brain cancer. In emergency cases, a CT Scan detects internal injuries and bleeding, potentially saving lives.
CT Abdomen
An abdominal CT scan generates cross-sectional images of the structures and organs in the abdominal area. It visualizes the placement of needles during biopsies of abdominal organs or tumours, as well as during the withdrawal of fluid from the abdomen. Abdominal CT scans play a crucial role in monitoring the progression of tumours and other abdominal conditions both before and after treatment.
Pelvic CT
A Pelvic CT captures detailed cross-sectional images of the pelvic region, focusing primarily on the hips and pelvic bones. It aids in diagnosing and evaluating a wide range of conditions involving pelvic organs such as the bladder, prostate, female reproductive organs, lymph nodes, small intestine, colon, and pelvic bones. It’s especially useful for detecting bone fractures, joint issues, and problems with surrounding tissues and organs.
CT Scan for Chest/Lungs
A CT Scan of the chest/lungs assesses lung conditions. It is the preferred imaging method for diagnosing and treating lung cancer because it can detect even tiny tumours that might not be visible using other imaging techniques. This test also guides needle placement during biopsies of thoracic organs or tumours and monitors the progress of chest-related conditions after treatment.
CT Scan for Neck
A CT neck scan is performed to investigate symptoms related to acute infection, inflammation, or issues with the aerodigestive tract in the neck area. It is also valuable for assessing adenopathy.
CT Scan for Kidneys
A CT scan of the kidneys serves several purposes. It evaluates the kidneys for tumours, obstructions like kidney stones, polycystic kidney disease, and congenital anomalies. Surgeons use CT scans to detect abnormal masses in the space left by the kidney after surgical removal. Furthermore, medical professionals conduct CT scans of the kidneys after kidney transplants to assess the size and location of the new kidney in the bladder.
Conclusion
CT scans are versatile medical imaging tests that play a vital role in modern healthcare. It is capable of assessing virtually every organ and structure within the human body. Doctors often prescribe it to detect and diagnose a wide array of conditions, as the ability of CT scans to provide detailed cross-sectional images offers invaluable insights, allowing them to make accurate diagnoses and effective treatment plans.
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