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.

to·mog·ra·phy

(tō-mog'ră-fē),

Making of a radiographic image of a selected plane by means of reciprocal linear or curved motion of the x-ray tube and film cassette; images of all other planes are blurred ("out of focus") by being relatively displaced on the film.

Synonym(s): conventional tomography, planigraphy, planography, sectional radiography, stratigraphy

CT scan

(sē′tē′)

n.

1. An image produced by a CT scanner.

2. The act or process of producing such an image.

CT scan

Computed tomography, see there.

CT scan (computed tomography scan)

The abbreviated term for computed or computerized axial tomography. The test may involve injecting a radioactive contrast into the body. Computers are used to scan for radiation and create cross-sectional images of internal organs.

Mentioned in: Botulism, Central Nervous System Infections, Flesh-Eating Disease

Patient discussion about CT 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.