Is a cat scan a ct scan: CT scan – Mayo Clinic

29.08.202304.07.2023 by alexxlab

CAT Scan vs. CT Scan: Are They the Same Procedure?

CAT Scan vs. CT Scan:

What’s the Difference?

Medicine is a field with countless acronyms. Two that can be confusing are CAT scan and CT scan. Sometimes thought to be different types of diagnostic tests, they actually refer to the same X-ray procedure. CAT stands for “computed axial tomography” and CT is simply “computed tomography.” CAT scan was the first of the two terms to be used; CT scan has become more common in recent years. These two procedures are the same, though.

What is a CT Scan For?

A CT scan produces images using an X-ray tube that travels 360 degrees around your body. As it moves, it gathers information from multiple angles to create cross-sectional images.

Doctors order CT scans for a number of reasons, including to:

Look for bone and joint problems such as complex fractures and tumors
Detect masses and spots associated with conditions like heart disease, cancer and emphysema
Locate clots, tumors, infection or fluid buildup
Check for internal injuries and bleeding following a traumatic event like a car accident
Provide information in preparation for a surgery, biopsy or other procedure
Compare images taken over a period of time to gauge the effectiveness of a treatment such as the chemotherapy or radiation used to shrink a tumor

In some cases, what’s called a CT scan “with contrast” is needed. With this procedure, the technician performing the procedure inserts a catheter into one of your arms in order to administer a special dye called contrast material. This dye makes it easier for the scan to create a crisp image of tissues and organs that are less dense than bone and therefore may not show up as clearly.

The detail in a CT scan with contrast may make it the preferred approach over other imaging techniques in some instances. For example, a CT scan can provide better information on the bones of the spine than either a standard X-ray or an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan, which is helpful when assessing conditions that affect the vertebrae and other bones.

There are some instances when a CT scan isn’t advisable. If you’re pregnant or think you may be pregnant, you should tell your doctor. There is also a weight limit for receiving a CT scan.

A CT Scan is a Pain-Free Procedure That Produces Crucial Images

Other than the poke if contrast material is needed, a CT scan is completely painless and provides your care team with critically important information on your condition. For many patients, the only unpleasant aspect of the scan is the feeling of being enclosed in the CT scan machine. However, that temporary discomfort is worth the valuable information the procedure produces.

At Baptist Health, the procedure takes place as follows:

Preparation. How you prepare for your CT scan will depend on the type of scan performed. If your abdomen/pelvis, chest or head is being scanned with contrast, you may be instructed not to eat or drink for several hours prior to your exam. You may also have to drink a contrast medium or have it administered intravenously. If you’re having a head scan with no contrast, you can eat up until the time of the exam, and no liquid or intravenous contrast medium is required.
Exam. A CT scan typically takes 15-30 minutes. A certified technologist helps you get positioned on the scan table, which is then moved into the machine. You’ll hear humming as the machine works and the table may move as different images are captured. You may also receive instructions, such as holding your breath for a short time, from the technologist, who observes the entire test and communicates with you through two-way microphones.
Side effects. Depending on the type of exam, afterward, you may experience a metallic taste in your mouth (if contrast dye is used), fatigue, headache, weakness or constipation.
Follow-up. After your exam, a radiologist (a doctor that specializes in imaging) reviews the images and sends a report to your physician who will discuss it with you at your next appointment.

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CT scan or CAT scan: How does it work?

A computerized tomography (CT) or computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan combines data from several X-rays to produce a detailed image of structures inside the body.

CT scans produce 2-dimensional images of a “slice” or section of the body, but the data can also be used to construct 3-dimensional images. A CT scan can be compared to looking at one slice of bread within a whole loaf.

CT scans are used in hospitals worldwide.

A CT scanner emits a series of narrow beams through the human body as it moves through an arc.

This is different from an X-ray machine, which sends just one radiation beam. The CT scan produces a more detailed final picture than an X-ray image.

The CT scanner’s X-ray detector can see hundreds of different levels of density. It can see tissues within a solid organ.

This data is transmitted to a computer, which builds up a 3-D cross-sectional picture of the part of the body and displays it on the screen.

Sometimes, a contrast dye is used because it can help show certain structures more clearly.

For instance, if a 3-D image of the abdomen is required, the patient may have to drink a barium meal. The barium appears white on the scan as it travels through the digestive system.

If images lower down the body are required, such as the rectum, the patient may be given a barium enema. If blood vessel images are the target, a contrast agent will be injected into the veins.

The accuracy and speed of CT scans may be improved with the application of spiral CT, a relatively new technology. The beam takes a spiral path during the scanning, so it gathers continuous data with no gaps between images.

CT is a useful tool for assisting diagnosis in medicine, but it is a source of ionizing radiation, and it can potentially cause cancer.

The National Cancer Institute advise patients to discuss the risks and benefits of CT scans with their doctors.

Share on PinterestA CT scan can detect abnormalities in the soft tissue.

It is useful for obtaining images of:

soft tissues
the pelvis
blood vessels
lungs
brain
abdomen
bones

CT is often the preferred way of diagnosing many cancers, such as liver, lung, and pancreatic cancers.

The image allows a doctor to confirm the presence and location of a tumor, its size, and how much it has affected nearby tissue.

A scan of the head can provide important information about the brain, for instance, if there is any bleeding, swelling of the arteries, or a tumor.

A CT scan can reveal a tumor in the abdomen, and any swelling or inflammation in nearby internal organs. It can show any lacerations of the spleen, kidneys, or liver.

As a CT scan detects abnormal tissue, it is useful for planning areas for radiotherapy and biopsies, and it can provide valuable data on blood flow and other vascular conditions.

It can help a doctor assess bone diseases, bone density, and the state of the patient’s spine.

It can also provide vital data about injuries to a patient’s hands, feet, and other skeletal structures. Even small bones are clearly visible, as well as their surrounding tissue.

CT versus MRI

The main differences between CT and MRI are:

A CT scan uses X-rays, but an MRI uses magnets and radio waves.
Unlike an MRI, a CT scan does not show tendons and ligaments.
MRI is better for examining the spinal cord.
A CT scan is better suited to cancer, pneumonia, abnormal chest x-rays, bleeding in the brain, especially after an injury.
A brain tumor is more clearly visible on MRI.
A CT scan shows organ tear and organ injury more quickly, so it may be more suitable for trauma cases.
Broken bones and vertebrae are more clearly visible on a CT scan.
CT scans provide a better image of the lungs and organs in the chest cavity between the lungs.

The patient may need to abstain from food, and possibly drink, for a specific period before the scan.

On the day

In most places, the patient will need to undress, usually down to their underwear, and put on a gown that the health center will provide. Avoid wearing jewelry.

If the hospital does not provide a gown, the patient should wear loose-fitting clothes free of metal buttons and zippers.

Some patients may have to drink a contrast dye, or the dye may be given as an enema, or injected.This improves the picture of some blood vessels or tissues.

Any patient who has an allergy to contrast material should tell the doctor beforehand. Some medications can reduce allergic reactions to contrast materials.

As metal interferes with the workings of the CT scanner, the patient will need to remove all jewelry and metal fastenings.

During the scan

The patient will need to lie down on a motorized examination table that slides into a doughnut-shaped CT scanner machine.

In most cases, the patient will lie on their back, facing up. But, sometimes, they may need to lie facedown or sideways.

After one x-ray picture, the couch will move slightly, and then the machine will take another image, and so on. The patient needs to lie very still for the best results.

During the scan, everybody except for the patient will leave the room. An intercom will enable two-way communication between the radiographer and the patient.

If the patient is a child, a parent or adult might be allowed to stand or sit nearby, but they will have to wear a lead apron to prevent radiation exposure.

Share on PinterestThe doctor should explain why the scan is needed, any other options available, and the pros and cons of having a CT scan.

A CT scan involves a small, targeted dose of radiation.

These levels of radiation, even in people who have undergone several scans, has not proven to be harmful.

The chance of developing cancer as the result of a CT scan is thought to be less than 1 in 2,000.

The amount of radiation involved is estimated to be around the same as a person would be exposed to in a space of between several months and several years of natural exposure in the environment.

A scan is only given if there is a clear medical reason to do so. The results can lead to treatment for conditions that could otherwise be serious. When the decision is taken to perform a scan, doctors will ensure that the benefits outweigh any risk.

Problems that could possibly arise from radiation exposure include cancer and thyroid issues.

This is extremely unlikely in adults, and also unlikely in children. However, are more susceptible to the effects of radiation. This does not mean that health issues will result, but any CT scans should be noted on the child’s medical record.

In some cases, only a CT scan can show the required results. For some conditions, an ultrasound or MRI might be possible.

Can I have a CT scan if I am pregnant?

Any woman who suspects she may be pregnant should tell her doctor beforehand, because there is a risk that the x-rays could harm the fetus.

Citing the American College of Radiography, the American Pregnancy Association (APA) point out that “No single diagnostic x-ray has a radiation dose significant enough to cause adverse effects in a developing embryo or fetus.”

However, the APA notes that CT scans are not recommended for pregnant women, “Unless the benefits clearly outweigh the risk. ”

CT scans and breastfeeding

If a lactating, or breastfeeding, mother needs an iodinated intravenous dye for contrast, she should avoid breastfeeding for about 24 hours as may pass into the breast milk.

I have claustrophobia: Can I have a CT scan?

A patient who has claustrophobia should tell their doctor or radiographer beforehand. The patient may be given an injection or tablet to calm them down before the scan.

Your health care provider will usually be able to recommend a suitable facility for a scan. You can check if a radiologist is accredited by searching on the website of the American College of Radiology.

Use of MRI and CT for pets

MRI and CT

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and X-ray computed tomography (CT) are methods of examining various organs by computer-assisted reconstruction of sliced or 3D images. Currently, these are one of the most accurate methods for diagnosing structural disorders of bones, joints, brain, blood vessels, internal organs, and soft tissues in animals.

MRI – what is it

Magnetic resonance imaging is a complex highly informative diagnostic method based on the phenomenon of nuclear magnetic resonance of hydrogen atoms in the cells of the body. With MRI pulses in a magnetic field, vibrations of hydrogen atoms are received in the form of echo signals, which are converted into a picture by means of a computer program. This image can be in different planes. Analysis of these images helps establish the diagnosis. X-ray or other types of ionizing radiation are not used in MRI, only a magnetic field.

When MRI is used for animal diagnostics

Animal MRI is most commonly used for effective soft tissue assessment. For example, studies of the organs of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), spine and ligamentous and muscular systems (musculoskeletal system), as well as organs of the small pelvis and abdominal cavity. MRI for dogs allows you to assess the structure of the soft tissues of internal organs, identify developmental disorders, traumatic changes, tumors, etc. (photo 1, 2).

What is CT

Computed tomography is one of the most modern methods of X-ray diagnostics. A CT scanner is a coil (gantry) into which the patient enters during the examination, located on the table. The gantry rotates the source or sources generating radiation around the patient, then the x-ray image data is processed by a computer and an x-ray image is obtained. Scanning the patient’s body with x-rays from all sides at different angles, a CT scanner creates a layered x-ray image of the internal organs.

When to use CT

This examination method is well established for assessing bone and cartilage structures, tumors and fluids. CT in animals is widely used to diagnose bone damage, trauma and bleeding. It is used as a method of angiography and can evaluate the excretory (excretory) properties of organs (photo 3, 4, 5, 6).

What is the difference between MRI and CT

The main difference between MRI and CT lies in the different physical phenomena used in the devices. In the case of CT, this is X-ray radiation, which gives an idea of the physical state of a substance, and in the case of MRI, it is a constant magnetic field and radio frequency electromagnetic radiation, which gives information about the chemical structure of tissues. These methods combine the possibility of layer-by-layer tissue scanning.

Both methods are widely used in veterinary medicine in patients with neurological problems, but there is a particular difference. On MRI in dogs, the structures of the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves are well visualized, while on CT they are not so well visualized. On CT, the vertebrae themselves, intervertebral discs and spinal canals are well visualized.

Both methods additionally include the possibility of contrasting. Injected contrast agents can accumulate in the pathological tissue and improve the visualization of the necessary structures. This is especially true in the diagnosis of tumors of various localization.

CT is preferred for diagnosing lung pathologies.

Before prescribing a study, it is necessary to understand which of the methods will be most informative and useful to a specialist. In some cases, it is necessary to use MRI and CT at the same time. These techniques require general anesthesia in animals, and therefore some patients may have contraindications to anesthesia. Metal objects (constructions for osteosynthesis, pacemakers) are a contraindication to MRI.

Dear pet owners! At the moment, MRI and CT diagnostics are not performed at the veterinary center of Dr. Vorontsov. If necessary, we send these studies to other institutions. We review the brought pictures and records to make a diagnosis.

CT for animals in St. Petersburg

Accurate diagnosis in a few minutes

the animal may deteriorate rapidly.

CT gives a unique chance – in just a couple of minutes
using special protocols, we obtain comprehensive information about
condition of bones, central nervous system, internal organs, soft
tissues, vessels with minimal radiation exposure, we find out the cause of the disease
and immediately begin treatment.

CT scan at the PRIDE veterinary center is:

Accurate diagnosis

for one anesthesia

Only we do CT and MRI at the same time. No need for an accurate diagnosis
to go and overload the pet with drugs.

Animal research

weighing from 300 g to 120 kg

We select an individual level of radiation exposure for each pet.

Biopsy under

CT control

We immediately do a “targeted” biopsy of the area where the changes were found.

Research of any

difficulty level

Including contrast to improve diagnostic accuracy.

3D view

for more precision

Special protocols enable us to carry out complex examinations of the central
nervous system, blood vessels, internal organs.

Automatic

dose control

Independent of the area to be examined, via software
CARE Dose4D. Radiation exposure reduced by 68%.

Comfort during

examinations and after

Each examination is carried out with the participation of an anesthesiologist, he continuously monitors
the state of the animal.

Result control

after surgery

The doctor assesses how successful the operation was and plans further
treatment.

CT is indispensable in diagnosis:

Neoplasms – benign, malignant, metastases:

Brain
Internal organs: lungs, liver, pancreas, kidneys, spleen
Bones
Joints

Injuries – isolated and combined injuries:

Spine
Bones of the vault and base of the skull
Chest
Belly
Limbs

Pathologies of the nervous system

Strokes
Post-traumatic hemorrhage
Tumors
Hydrocephalus
Edema and atrophy of the brain
Brain abscess
Spinal cord compressions

Heart diseases

Defects
Camera extensions
Scars after a heart attack
Aneurysm
Thrombus
Tumors

Urological pathology

Kidney and bladder stones
Tumors of the genitourinary system
Abnormalities of renal hypoplasia, hydronephrosis, ectopic ureters

Vascular diseases

Thrombosis
Emboli
Aneurysm
Portosystemic shunts
Development options

Orthopedic diseases

Fractures and fractures of bones
Joint injuries
Areas of bone destruction and sclerosis
Herniated and protrusion of the intervertebral discs
Arthritis and arthrosis

Anomalies of the body

Malformations of the spine, joints, abdominal organs, urogenital
systems

Are you looking for answers to these questions:

X-ray

Suitable for primary diagnosis
Only gross deviations are visible in the images
Displays an image in one plane
In the images, the shadows of organs and tissues are superimposed on each other, slight
changes are not visible.

Indispensable for a quick definitive diagnosis
Scans show lesions as small as 0.6 mm
Produces dozens of images in various planes and modes – for bones,
soft tissues

	KT	MRI
What is used	X-ray	Magnetic field
Which organs/structures can be seen better	Fresh hemorrhages, internal organs, soft tissues, calculi	Brain structures, soft tissues
What are the benefits of	Quickly and accurately helps diagnose injuries and their complications, clarify the presence of hemorrhages, tumors and metastases	Accurate diagnosis at an early stage of tumors of the central nervous system, soft tissues, pathology vessels, joints. X-rays are not used.

Duration of the procedure – several minutes
Radiation exposure reduced by 68%
Areas of the body not to be examined are covered with special screens
For sedation during the study, use lower doses of drugs,
than for operation

To exclude contraindications, the animal is examined before the procedure
The doctor constantly monitors the condition – conducts an examination before the procedure,
administers drugs, and monitors the animal until the very awakening
All manipulations are carried out quickly and accurately

Indications and contraindications

Indications:

Polytrauma – head, chest, abdomen, spine, limbs,
Suspicion:
- hemorrhage
- “acute abdomen”
- neoplasm
- thrombosis and thromboembolism
- the presence of foreign bodies, including those not visible on radiographs,
Search for neoplasm metastases
Bone and joint deformities
Movement disorder
Planning complex bone and joint surgeries

Contraindications:

Conditions where anesthesia is contraindicated
Renal failure for contrast administration

CT in PRIDE in numbers

100%

reliability

Thanks to the new modern device SIEMENS SOMATOM Emotion, many years of
experience and high qualification of the radiologist.