CAT scan

scan (skan)

1. to examine or map the body, or one or more organs or regions of it, by gathering information with a sensing device.

2. the data or image so obtained.

3. shortened form of scintiscan.

---

A-scan  display on a cathode ray tube of ultrasonic echoes, in which one axis represents the time required for return of the echo and the other corresponds to the strength of the echo.

B-scan  display on a cathode ray tube of ultrasonic echoes, depicting time elapsed and echo strength and producing two-dimensional cross-sectional displays by movement of the transducer.

CAT scan , CT scan computed tomography, or the image obtained from it.

M-mode scan  the image obtained using M-mode echocardiography, showing the motion (M) over time of a monodimensional (“icepick”) section of the heart.

PET scan  positron emission tomography, or the image obtained from it.

ventilation-perfusion scan , V/Q scan a scintigraphic technique for demonstrating perfusion defects in normally ventilated areas of the lung in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.

---

CAT scan (kt)

n.

An image produced by a CAT scanner. Also called CT scan.

---

scan [skan]

1. to examine or map the body, or one or more organs or regions of it, by gathering information with a sensing device, such as a moving detector or a sweeping beam of radiation.

2. the data or image so obtained, often designated according to the organ under examination, such as a brain scan, kidney scan, or thyroid scan.

3. shortened form of scintiscan.

A-scan display on a cathode ray tube of ultrasonic echoes, in which one axis represents the time required for return of the echo and the other corresponds to the strength of the echo.

B-scan display on a cathode ray tube of ultrasonic echoes, in which the position of a bright dot on the tube corresponds to the time elapsed and the brightness of the spot to the strength of the echo; movement of the transducer across the skin surface yields a two-dimensional cross-sectional display.

CAT scan (CT scan) the image generated by computerized axial tomography.

HIDA scan a type of scan using a technetium 99m complex to assess hepatobiliary function.

thallium scan a scintiscan involving use of thallium 201; see also thallium scan.

ventilation-perfusion scan (V/Q scan) a scintigraphic technique for demonstrating perfusion defects in normally ventilated areas of the lung in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism, consisting of the imaging of the distribution of an inhaled radionuclide followed by the imaging of the perfusion of the lungs by an injected radionuclide.

---

CAT scan

Computer tomography, see there 

---

Patient discussion about CAT scan.

Q. I get bad headaches had ct scans and m.r.i. even sinus surgery, suffering 2yrs now, dizzness occurs too..

A. If all prior medical investigations turned out normal, and sinus surgery didn't help relieve your symptoms, I would suggest the reason for your headaches is probably migraine attacks, that can cause severe headaches, and no CT scan or MRI can diagnose them. The diagnosis is made clinically, by your doctor. Migraine headaches can be eased by proper medications, before and during an attack. You should consult a neurologist.