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What is a CT Scan? The term 'CT scan' is an abbreviation for computed tomography imaging, and is also known as CAT scanning or computed axial tomography. This procedure provides a direct image, or slices of images, of soft tissue structures. The process is used to identify and track abnormalities such as tumors, fractures, strokes, bleeding, and even infections. Areas that may be examined include - Liver - Brain - Lungs - Spleen - Pancreas - Lymph Nodes - Fatty Tissues - Bones, including the spine, facial bones, sinuses, and skull. How does it work? A patient lies on a table, which slides into a machine called a gantry. An x-ray tube then travels around the patient to create computer-generated x-ray images. An exam typically takes anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes. This includes the time to prepare for the procedure as well as for the computer to actually generate the images. The actual x-ray time is minimal. History of the CT Scan Godfrey Hounsfield and Allan Cormack invented computed tomography in 1972. Dr. Hounsfield was an engineer at EMI Laboratories in England, while Dr. Cormack was a South African-born physicist at Tufts University in Massachusetts. The men were eventually awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their contributions to science and medicine. The first machines were dedicated to head imaging only, and were installed between 1974 and 1976. The machines were redesigned with larger openings that could examine a whole body in 1976. By 1980, the CT scan was widely available. Improvements over time The early machines developed by Hounsfield in his lab took many hours to actually acquire each "slice," and then took days to reconstruct each slide into a single image. The machines have been improved over the years to now take multiple slices in just milliseconds, and develop the overall image from the slides in less than a second. For example, an entire chest is composed of about 40 slices, and can be completed in 5-10 seconds. Over time, improvements have been made to make the patient more comfortable during the procedure. Because the patient has to remain still during the exam, a faster processing time means there is less of a chance that the patient will move or become uncomfortable. It also means that more of the patient can be examined during less time. In addition, researchers also have made improvements to the amount of x-rays a patient is exposed to. If your doctor has recommended a CT scan, you can rest assured that this is a trusted and long-standing procedure that can be a very valuable tool in diagnosing some health issues. When considering a CT scan, NJ residents visit Hunterdon Radiological Associates. Learn more about this procedure at http://hunterdonradiology.com/drupal/multi-slice_ct_scan.
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