Computed Tomography (CT)
Computed tomography (CT), more commonly known as a CAT scan, obtains multiple
graphical images of body parts from many different angles using special x-ray
equipment. These images are then joined together to form a three-dimensional
graphical cross-section, or "slice," of body tissues and organs.
Computed tomography scans show the following:
- Bone tissue
- Soft tissue
- Organs
- Muscles
- Tumours
Computed Tomography (CT) is not a new field. It was first developed in 1967
by Godfrey Hounsfield, a British electronics engineer who connected x-ray sensors
to a computer and worked out a mathematical equation to form images from the
data obtained by the x-ray sensors. The first CT scans were performed in the
1970’s and took several hours per slice. The Mayo Clinic first began operating
CT machines in 1973. At that time, CT images were 100 times clearer than normal
x-ray images—and the speed, accuracy and overall quality of CT images has only
improved since then. Today, the newest scanners can obtain up to four "slices"
of data in 350 microseconds or less.
Computed tomography is also called:
- CT scanning
- Computerized tomography
- Computerized axial tomography (CAT)
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