Computed Tomography Aleena Persaud, Jodie Law, Ratheka Sivasubramaniam

What is Computed Tomography?  An x-ray imaging procedure used for various clinical applications  Generates cross-sectional images of specific body parts of a patient’s body.  The images are layered over each other to create a 3D image of the patient’s body part  Known as CT or CAT scans

Purpose  CT scans give clear pictures of soft tissue (muscles, large blood vessels, organs, nerves, brain)  Used to further identify abnormalities found in x-rays  They detect abnormalities like abscesses, tumours, serious head injuries, kidney/bladder stones, abnormal blood vessels, etc.  used for planning surgeries or treatment  Monitor patient’s condition, and oversee the process and success of treatment/therapy

How it Works  Uses X-rays to view cross sections of a certain organ or part of the body  The CT scanner has an x-ray detector that can see various tissues in the body (the scanner emits multiple narrow beams through the body which detect the tissue)  Produce signals to create the cross sectional images (slices) of the body  Slices can be digitally layered to form 3D images of patient

Physical Appearance  It looks like a white “donut” with a whole in the middle with a flat surface for the patient to lay on  Photos are in made up of the colours of the grey spectrum (bone = white, liquids=black, tissues = greys)

Process  The patient will have to wear a gown (no jewelry, etc.) and may have to to fast for a specific amount of time before the scan  In some occasions the patient is given a type of contrast dye that allows them to see certain parts of the body better during the screening (ingested or through IV)  Multiple computers help control the CT scan  Scan is usually run by the radiologist technologist  Patient lies down on the bench, which is the flat surface that moves the patient through the opening of the CT scan.

Process  Patient lies down on the bench, which is the flat surface that moves the patient through the opening of the CT scan.  The bench will move to take different pictures, and the patient may have to change their position (lying on stomach, side or back)  A CT scan will take approximately 20 minutes to an hour

Types  Most CT scans generally have the same process  Sometimes a dye is used to contrast and allow the image to show more detail and be more clear on the screen  The patient either ingests the dye, or it is put into their body through an IV  A more accurate type of CT scan is a spiral CT scan. The only difference is that in a spiral scan, the x-ray beams take a spiral path, which ensures that there are no gaps in the images

Benefits  CT Scans can give more detail of the patient’s body compared to other tests (x-rays, ultrasounds, etc.)  They can somewhat create an ‘inside view’ of the patient’s body  Painless  Support medical planning

Risks Radiation exposure  Use x-rays which is a form of radiation  Too much radiation could lead to cancer  Higher risk in children, elders and people who have had it more often  Dangerous to pregnant women Allergic reaction to the dye  Some people may have allergic reactions or medical problems with the dye they are given during CT scans  This can result in rashes or itchiness. In rare cases, bad reactions with the dye can be life-threatening

Advances  Newer CT scans have more x-ray detectors  The scans can cover more area in a shorter amount of time  Higher image quality and lower radiation

Bibliography  Computed Tomography. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2016, from  It is an article explaining what CT is, its risks, how it works and how it might be for a patient.  Imaginis. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2016, from  It is an article about explaining how the CT works with each individual part  What is a CT Scan and How Does it Work? (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2016, from scan/overviewhttp:// scan/overview  It is an article that briefly explains what it is and how it works, along with risks that come along with it.  Body CT (CAT Scan). (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2016, from  It is an article that covers all the basics of the CT scan, but it does not include the origin.  CT scan. (2015, March 25). Retrieved May 14, 2016, from  It is multiple pages explain the risks, what and how the CT works in smaller paragraphs on each page.  Stöppler, M. C. (n.d.). Why are CT scans performed? - CT Scan (Computerized Tomography): Read About the Procedure. Retrieved May 14, 2016, from  It is an article that explains what exactly is the a CT scan and reasons why it is used.  Nordqvist, C. (2016, February 5). CT Scan (CAT Scan): How Do They Work? Retrieved May 14, 2016, from  It is an article also covering the basics of a CT scan, the five w and how, as well as concerns. It is written in two pages  Computed Tomography (CT) Scan of the Body. (2014, September 9). Retrieved May 14, 2016, from guides/computed-tomography-ct-scan-of-the-body?page=4http:// guides/computed-tomography-ct-scan-of-the-body?page=4  It is an article that goes into detail about the uses, risks, functions and etc of the CT scan.

Bibliography  Computer Tomography (CT). (n.d.). Accessed on May 14, 2016https:// The website contains detailed information about CT scans. Information such as how and when they are used are included.  McKenzie, J., Goergen, S. Computed Tomography (CT). (n.d.). Accessed on May 14, 2016http:// This website provides information on computed tomography with various topics which include what is it, the risks of using it, the process and the length.  Medical X-ray Imaging > Computer Tomography (CT). (n.d.). EmittingProducts/RadiationEmittingProductsandProcedures/MedicalImaging/MedicalX-Rays/ucm htm Accessed on May 14, EmittingProducts/RadiationEmittingProductsandProcedures/MedicalImaging/MedicalX-Rays/ucm htm Accessed on May 14 The website consists of data about computed tomography. It explains the health effects, benefits/risks, its purpose and a detailed description.