What is a CT Scan? Grange-over-Sands

If you would like to get the answer to the question "What is a CT Scan?" you will be interested in the following article.

Computerised Tomography (CT or CAT) Scans use a series of X-ray pictures to carry out a body scan by building up an image of the inside of your body, including the brain, bones, organs, and soft tissues. They are particularly useful for assessing internal damage following an accident or stroke, as CT Scans can give a detailed picture of the body without the need for exploratory surgery.

CT Scans are a common diagnostic tool at most hospitals in the UK and can be done on an out-patient basis, with the patient usually allowed home the same day. There are very few risks or side effects to the body scan process, although the use of X-rays means it is not suitable for women who know or suspect they are pregnant.

Why would you have a CT Scan? 

Because they are able to differentiate between many tissue densities, CT Scans can provide very detailed images of bodily tissues, even within the major organs. They can be used to analyse soft tissue, bones, brain, blood vessels, and all the major organs, including the digestive system.

CT Scans are particularly useful in assessing:

• Head injuries, including swelling of the tissue and arteries, and stroke damage
• Brain tumours and haemorrhages
• Swelling of the major organs caused by injury or disease
• Cancerous tumours throughout the body
• Damage, such as tears to the spleen, kidneys, or liver
• Bone damage and disease, especially osteoporosis

CT Scans can also be used to differentiate normal tissue from tumours when planning radiotherapy or chemotherapy...

Profile of the author: This article on the subject of the CT scan is written by Jackie Griffiths, a freelance journalist who writes health, medical, biological, and pharmaceutical articles for national and international journals, newsletters and web sites.

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