What is a CT Scanner?

A CT scan is many times as sensitive as an ordinary x-ray. It is produced by an x-ray beam that goes through your body. The CT equipment receives and analyzes the x-ray beam that emerges on the other side. The resulting picture can reveal soft tissue structures not identifiable on a standard x-ray. You will be asked to lie flat on a movable table; then the table is guided into the center of the CT scanner. This instrument resembles an enormous doughnut. While you remain still, x-rays in a complete circle are beamed through segments of your body and are picked up by detectors. This information is fed into a computer which gathers the data and converts it into a video or photographic image which your radiologist can then interpret. A "dye" (contrast medium) is sometimes injected through a vein to enhance the contrast of the image. (This liquid contains iodine, so before the test begins you will be asked if you are allergic to iodine.)