Title: Computed Tomography Scanning (CT Scan)

Name: Stephenie Fifi Anak Louis

Matric No: D20202096490

Name of equipment:
Computed Tomography Scanning (CT Scan)

Working Principles:
1. When X-ray are irradiated on the human body,
CT scan also known as computerized axial tomog-
some of the rays are absorbed and some pass
raphy (C.A.T). CT makes use of computer pro-
through the body to produce an image. In plain X-
cessed combinations of many X-ray images taken
ray imaging, the film directly absorbs penetrated X
from different angles to produce cross-sectional
-rays.
(tomographic) images (virtual ‘slices’) of specific
areas of a scanned object. 2. In CAT scanning, an electronic device called a
“detector array” absorbs the penetrated X-rays,
measures the X-ray amount, and transmits the da-
ta to a computer system. A sophisticated computer
system, in turn, calculates and analyzes data from
each detector in each level, and finally reconstructs
multiple, two-dimensional, and cross-sectional im-
ages.
3. Beam from one or several small X-ray sources
are passed through the body and intercepted by
one or more radiation detectors. These radiation
Applications: detectors produce electrical impulses that are pro-
portional to the intensity of the X-ray beam emerg-
1. CT scanning is an effective anatomical imag- ing from the body. The intensity of the X-ray beam
ing modality for almost every region in the body. exiting the body is determined by:
The clarity and accuracy of images produced by
CT scanners have enabled computed tomogra- a)The energy of the X-ray source
phy to become one of the most widespread mo- b)The distance between the source of X-rays and
dalities for diagnostic imaging. Unlike conven- the detector
tional x-ray imaging (radiography), CT allows
c)The attenuation of the beam by materials in the
direct imaging and differentiation of soft tissue
object being scanned
such as liver, lung tissue, and fat.
2. CT can be used to image almost every ana-
tomic region, including those susceptible to mo-
tion and breathing. Moreover, CT allows identi-
fying internal structures and seeing their shape,
size, density and texture.
3. CT is especially useful in searching of large
space occupying lesions, tumors and metastasis
and cannot only reveal their presence but also
the size, spatial location and extent of a tumor.
Advantages:
1. CT can show different things that when com-
bined patients reap twice the diagnostic benefits.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan will
show areas of increased activity within the body
while a CT scan alone produces detailed images
of tissues and organs inside the body. It can help
differentiate between a cancerous and noncan-
cerous mass in the body. Disadvantages:

2. It is a relatively painless procedure that
measures both anatomy and metabolic function
within the patient’s body as images are captured
in a single scan.
3. The actual scan only takes about a half an
hour to complete.
4. Easy, Non-disruptive. A side from the initial
injection of the radioactive material, the exam is
noninvasive and requires no recovery or down-
time afterward. Patients may immediately as-
sume normal activities after a PET or CT scan.
1. Pregnant women should not undergo PET or CT scans
because the radioactive tracers used may be dangerous
to the baby. While the amount of radiation received is
negligible and is not any more dangerous to patients
than the exposure, they receive from a low dose X-ray,
pregnant women should avoid any exposure to radiation
while pregnant or breastfeeding.
2. Risk to the patient because of the high radiation dose.
3. Injection of a constant medium (dye) can cause kidney
problems of result in allergic or injection-site reactions
in some people.
4. Risk of developing cancer concern regarding the large
radiation dosage that patients are exposed to.

Conclusion:
1. CT scan are ideal for diagnostic purposes. They have been hailed as the better option as compared
to other methods of determining body compositions to their ability to provide better quality images
and providing more information in a short scan time.
2. Since they involve exposure to ionizing radiation, there are safety concerns raised as to the effects of
these radiations on patients.
3. Nevertheless, their usefulness has been demonstrated to outweigh the risks.