How are CT scans made?

This imaging procedure uses the CT scanner, which consists of an X-ray tube and detectors. The tube produces an X-ray beam that passes through the patient and is captured by the detectors, followed by reconstruction to create a 2D or 3D image. Contrast media such as intravenous and oral contrast agents may be employed during a CT study.

Common CT clinical applications include:

• Abdominal CT
• Brain/Cranial/Head/Neck CT
• Cardiac CT
• Chest/Mediastinum/High Resolution CT
• CT Angiography
• CT Colonography
• CT Myelography
• CT Urography
• Extremities
• Pelvic CT
• Quantitative Computed Tomography, QCT Densitometry

As with plain radiography, CT uses X-ray radiation to produce images; radiation doses from computed tomography are higher because of multiple exposures.