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What is Computed Tomography Used For?
CT is used in various medical circumstances where highly specific information,
such as the size, density and location of a tumour or malformation, is required.
Typically, CT is used for the following situations:
- Diagnosis
- Surgery
- Precursor to therapies (usually radiation therapy)
CT is commonly used in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Other common uses for
CT include:
- Detecting or confirming the existence of tumours
- Determining the size and location of the tumor
- Determining whether or not a tumour has spread
- Guiding a biopsy (a small needle used to remove cell or tissue samples for
microscopic analysis)
- Planning the course of radiation treatment
- Determining whether cancer is responding to treatment
- Diagnosing disease
- Discovering the location and extent of trauma
- Measuring bone density to check for osteoporosis
CT scans can provide detailed information of just about every part of the body.
Common areas examined by CT scan include:
- Head
- Brain
- Abdomen
- Heart
- Chest
- Ear
- Sinuses
- Lungs
- Spine
- Pelivs, Hips, Reproductive Systems, Bladder
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