CT Scans

Summary

Computed tomography (CT) is a type of imaging. It uses special x-ray equipment to make cross-sectional pictures of your body.

Doctors use CT scans to look for:

• Fractures (broken bones)
• Cancers
• Blood clots
• Signs of heart disease
• Internal bleeding

During a CT scan, you lie still on a table. The table slowly passes through the center of a large X-ray machine. The test is painless. During some tests you receive a contrast dye, which makes parts of your body show up better in the image.

NIH: National Cancer Institute

Specifics

• Abdominal and Pelvic CT (Computed Tomography) Radiological Society of North America
• Body CT Radiological Society of North America
• Computed Tomography (CT) — Head Radiological Society of North America
• Computed Tomography (CT) — Sinuses Radiological Society of North America
• Computed Tomography (CT) Scan of the Spine Radiological Society of North America
• Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA) Radiological Society of North America
• CT Angiography (CTA) Radiological Society of North America
• CT Enterography Radiological Society of North America
• CT Perfusion of the Head Radiological Society of North America
• Heart Tests National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
• Myelography National Library of Medicine
• SPECT (Single-Photon Emission Computerized Tomography) Scan Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Tests for Lung Disease National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
• Urography Radiological Society of North America
• Virtual Colonoscopy National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Patient Handouts

• Abdominal CT scan Medical Encyclopedia
• Chest CT Medical Encyclopedia
• CT angiography – abdomen and pelvis Medical Encyclopedia
• CT angiography – arms and legs Medical Encyclopedia
• CT angiography – chest Medical Encyclopedia
• CT angiography – head and neck Medical Encyclopedia
• Head CT scan Medical Encyclopedia
• Heart CT scan Medical Encyclopedia
• Lumbar Spine CT scan Medical Encyclopedia
• Lumbosacral spine CT Medical Encyclopedia
• Pelvic CT scan Medical Encyclopedia

Find an Expert

• American College of Radiology Accredited Facility Search American College of Radiology
• Food and Drug Administration Food and Drug Administration
• RadiologyInfo Radiological Society of North America

Encyclopedia

• Arm CT scan Medical Encyclopedia
• Cervical spine CT scan Medical Encyclopedia
• CT scan Medical Encyclopedia
• Knee CT scan Medical Encyclopedia
• Leg CT scan Medical Encyclopedia
• Orbit CT scan Medical Encyclopedia
• Renal scan Medical Encyclopedia
• Shoulder CT scan Medical Encyclopedia
• Sinus CT scan Medical Encyclopedia
• Thoracic spine CT scan Medical Encyclopedia

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Tomography, X-Ray Computed National Institutes of Health

Start Here

• Computed Tomography (CT) Scans and Cancer National Cancer Institute
• CT Scan Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• What is Computed Tomography? Food and Drug Administration

Related Issues

• Contrast Materials Radiological Society of North America
• How to Read Your Radiology Report Radiological Society of North America

Prevention and Risk Factors

• Full-Body CT Scans: What You Need to Know Food and Drug Administration
• What Are the Radiation Risks from CT? Food and Drug Administration
• Whole-Body CT Screening — Should I or Shouldn’t I Get One? Food and Drug Administration

Videos and Tutorials

• Getting a CAT Scan (For Kids) Nemours Foundation

Children

• Keeping Kids Still during Exams American Society of Radiologic Technologists
• Pediatric CT Radiological Society of North America

Journal Articles

• CT Scans

Women

• Radiation Exposure and Pregnancy Health Physics Society