CT Scan: How It Works, Uses, and Advantages

Computed tomography scan was invented by Godfrey Hounsfield in 1963.

Working on CT Scan

Narrow X-ray beams are passed from the rotating X-ray generator through the gantry where the patient is placed.

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When X-rays pass through the tissues, some of the X-rays get absorbed, and some pass through, depending on the tissue density, different grades of absorption in different tissues are detected through sensitive detectors which are translated to a Grayscale image by a computer.

The density of tissues is numbered as Hounsfild Number (HN).

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CT Scan Contrast agents

Ionic: Water soluble iodide dyes such as sodium diatrizoate, and meglumine iothalamate.
They are cheaper but often toxic and cause anaphylaxis.
Non-ionics are safer but expensive like Iohexol and Iopamiro.

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CT scan Indications

Trauma-like head injury, chest injury. Abdomen trauma.
In trauma, only a plain CT scan is taken.
Neoplasms: To see the exact location, size, vascularity, extent, and operability.
Inflammatory conditions: In various sites such as in the pseudocyst of the pancreas.

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CT scan Contraindications

In pregnancy.
In restless patient.

CT Scan Advantages

1 to 2 mm-sized sections are possible.
The amount of exposure to radiation is less
More accurate, sensitive, and specific.
Small lesions are detected.

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CT Scan Disadvantages

Interpretation by experienced radiologists is done
Artifacts can be present
The cost is high.