CT (Computed tomography or CAT scan)

In conventional x-rays, a beam of energy is aimed at the body part being studied. A plate behind the body part captures the variations of the energy beam after it passes through skin, bone, muscle, and other tissue. While much information can be obtained from a regular x-ray, a lot of detail about internal organs and other structures is not available.

In computed tomography (tomography means obtaining pictures of the interior of the body) known as CT/CAT Scan, the x-ray beam moves in a circle around the body. This allows many different views of the same organ or structure, and provides much greater detail. The x-ray information is sent to a computer that interprets the x-ray data and displays it in 2-dimensional form on a monitor. While many images are taken during a CT scan, less radiation is received by the patient than with a single standard x-ray, in many cases.

A new technology called ultrafast CT (computed tomography) has begun to be used in the past few years to diagnose heart disease. Ultrafast CT can take multiple images of the heart within the time of a single heartbeat, thus providing much more detail about the heart's function and structures, while also greatly decreasing the amount of time required for a study. Ultrafast CT can detect very small amounts of calcium within the heart and the coronary arteries. This calcium has been shown to indicate that lesions which may eventually block off one or more coronary arteries and cause chest pain or even a heart attack are in the beginning stages of formation. Thus, ultrafast CT scanning is being used by many physicians as a means to diagnose early coronary artery disease in certain people, especially persons who have no symptoms of the disease.

If you would a copy of our CT Brochure, you can download a PDF version by clicking here.

If you would like even more specific information, please visit our Health Information page by clicking here.