What is a CT scan (CAT scan)
Computed tomography or CT scans have been with us for many years and are performed for many different disease entities. A CT scans is made up of ordinary X-rays (tomograms) that are fed into a computer (computed). They can be performed with a contrast media that is injected into the veins of the patients body. This contrast media is usually iodine based and circulates around the body in the vascular system. It is taken up in areas where there is increased blood flow like areas of inflammation, infection or cancer. It is also used to look at peoples arteries and veins.
CT scans are the best test to evaluate the integrity, alignment and pathology located in the vertebrae of your spine. It is not as good at evaluating the softer tissue such as discs, ligaments and nerves as MRI scans, which are the best for evaluating softer tissues.
When undrergoing a CT scan, you are placed in a large machine that is shaped like a doughnut. The table you are lying on will move forward and backward as the scan is being performed. Older generation CT scanners could only do one slice (exposure) at a tiem, modern scanners to many cuts at the same time and are much faster.
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