Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT), also known as Computed Tomography (CT), is a medical imaging technique used to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body. It is a non-invasive diagnostic tool that combines X-ray technology with computer processing to produce high-resolution images.
During a CAT scan, the patient lies on a table that moves slowly through a doughnut-shaped machine called a CT scanner. The scanner emits a series of X-ray beams from different angles around the body. Detectors inside the scanner measure the amount of radiation that passes through the body at each angle. These measurements are then processed by a computer to generate a series of cross-sectional images, or slices, of the body.
CAT scans provide a comprehensive view of the internal structures such as organs, bone, and soft tissue, allowing for accurate diagnosis of various medical conditions. The images obtained are more detailed and precise compared to traditional X-rays, making it especially useful in detecting and evaluating tumors, fractures, blood clots, infections, and other abnormalities.
In addition, modern CAT scanners can perform specialized scans, such as angiography, which visualizes blood vessels, and virtual colonoscopies, which screen for colon cancer. The development of three-dimensional reconstruction techniques has further enhanced the diagnostic capabilities of CAT scans.
Despite its numerous benefits, CAT scans involve exposure to ionizing radiation. Therefore, medical professionals carefully consider the risks and benefits of the procedure, keeping radiation doses as low as reasonably achievable and only performing scans when necessary.
