What Are CT Scans Used for?

CT scans results help doctors dianose and plan treatments.

CT, or computerized tomography, scans make it possible to see areas of the body such as organs, bones, soft tissue and blood vessels that cannot be seen with other imaging methods. The information from the scan is useful for doctors trying to diagnose and plan treatment.

Abdomen and Pelvis

CT scans can show infections of the stomach, kidney and appendix and inflammation in the stomach, liver and pancreas. It can also identify any kidney or bladder stones, and show any suspicious findings for liver, kidney, bladder and lymphoma cancers.

Chest

CT scans can confirm any suspicious findings that show up on a chest x-ray such as respiratory infections and any injury to the chest wall or lungs. Scans can also confirm suspicious lung tumors, determine the size and spreading of tumors, and see whether or not tumors are shrinking after treatment.

Head

Head injuries and complaints of severe headaches with other symptoms of increased pressure in the head are common reasons for scanning the head. CT scanning can detect brain tumors, bleeding caused by ruptured blood clots and skull fractures from head injuries. CT images can also show signs of disease or excessive fluid around the brain cavities.

References

• American College of Radiology: Computed Tomography (CT or Cat Scan)