A Quick & Noninvasive Imaging Test

Computerized Tomography, often referred to as CT scan or CAT scan, is a standard in imaging technology. This test can create images of the body’s inner structures, including bones, muscle and organs. The procedure only takes a few minutes and uses minimal amounts of radiation.

Shadow diagnostics is the first radiology practice in the area to offer low dose CT scanning at our CT scan outpatient facilities. This state-of-the-art technology reduces radiation exposure by 50 to 75% compared to traditional CT scanning without losing any image quality.

Several types of low dose CT scans are offered at Shadow diagnostics in coimbatore including:

• CT angiography
• CT abdomen scan
• CT bone scan
• Head CT
• CT scan chest/lungs
• CT neck
• Pelvic CT scan
• CT scan kidneys
• CT scan of the spine

CT angiography:

A doctor might order a CT angiography, or angiogram, if they want to assess a person’s risk of heart disease. The scan can also help doctors detect damage to the blood vessels, such as aneurysms or blockages. Before the scan, a health professional injects dye into the blood vessels to help make the flow of blood through the body more visible. A CT technologist then takes images of the blood vessels.

CT abdomen scan:

During an abdominal CT scan, a technologist will capture images of the organs of the digestive tract, such as the intestines, colon, liver, spleen and appendix. A doctor might order an abdomen scan to detect abscesses in the area, to discover internal bleeding or to identify and diagnose tumors, such as those in the colon.

CT bone scan:

While an x-ray can detect a fracture or other problem with the bones, health care professionals also sometimes use a CT scan of the bones. Since a CT scan can give more information to a doctor, they might order one if the results of a traditional x-ray are inconclusive. A CT bone scan will also provide a clearer picture of the soft tissues near the bones, such as the tendons and muscles. A CT bone scan might also help diagnose cancer in the bones.

Head CT:

A doctor might order a head CT for a patient who is experiencing unexplained headaches or dizziness. The procedure can also help diagnose brain tumors or strokes. A head CT captures images of the brain and other areas of the head, such as the sinuses. Patients with ongoing sinus issues might benefit from a head CT to determine if there is ongoing inflammation in the area.

CT scan chest/lungs:

A CT scan of the chest can provide a doctor with detailed images of a person’s lungs. Doctors might order the scan if a patient complains of having trouble breathing or of having chest pain. The images can help doctors diagnose conditions such as lung cancer, pneumonia, tuberculosis or excess fluid in the lungs.

CT neck:

A CT scan of the neck typically captures images of the area from the base of the skull to the top of the lungs. The scan can detect and diagnose tumors or masses in the neck, on the tongue, on the vocal cords or in the upper airway. A doctor can also detect growths or abnormalities on the thyroid gland or issues with the carotid artery using a neck CT scan.

Pelvic CT scan:

A pelvic CT will take pictures of the area inside the body between the hipbones. It can help diagnose issues with the male or female reproductive systems or to identify bladder problems, such as bladder stones or tumors.

CT scan kidneys:

A common reason for a CT scan of the kidneys is to detect and confirm the presence of kidney stones. The scan can also help identify tumors, abscesses and signs of kidney disease.

CT scan of the spine:

Spinal CT scans capture images of the bony spinal structure, the discs between the bones and the soft tissue of the spinal column. A CT scan of the spine can help a doctor assess injury to the area, diagnose herniated discs and evaluate the area before surgery. In some cases, a doctor might use a spinal CT to gauge bone loss in the area as a result of osteoporosis. A CT scan of the spine can also be an aid during a biopsy or other procedure.

CT Scan With or Without Contrast

Some types of CT scans require the use of a special chemical called contrast, which helps make soft tissue easier to see on the images. Although you might have heard contrast called a dye, it doesn’t change the color of the organs or soft tissues inside the body. Instead, it works by blocking the x-rays. Contrast looks white on the images, making the organs or other tissues stand out.