With the rapid development of modern science and technology, computed tomography (CT) is the most widely used medical imaging examination method in hospitals today. It is currently the most commonly used detection method worldwide. CT examination has a wide range of applications, simple operation, safety and high efficiency. Since its application in clinical work, it has played an extremely important role in the diagnosis of many diseases and significantly improved the accuracy of disease diagnosis. However, many patients do not know how to choose the correct CT scan during CT examination. Today, we will talk to you about how to choose the CT scan correctly?
Do you know the working principle of CT?
CT examination is actually a radiological examination, and its essence is still X-rays. It is a combination of traditional X-rays and computer technology. The technical route is as follows: using thin beam X-rays to scan a certain layer of the human body, usually in cross-section. When X-rays penetrate the human body, the degree of radiation absorption varies due to different tissue densities and thicknesses. When X-rays are absorbed by human tissue, the intensity of X-rays varies among different tissues. Then, a detector is used to receive the transmitted X-rays, record the difference in X-ray intensity, and finally convert them into digital signals. After computer processing, CT images are reconstructed.
There are currently many classification standards and types of CT, and the most commonly used CT classification method is based on different examination methods. The most common method encountered by the general public is to classify according to the examination method. The following categories are common:
1. CT plain scan examination: Many friends have had the experience of doing this CT examination. Many doctors will prescribe a plain scan CT, which does not require medication and can be performed on any part of the body.
2. CT enhanced examination: Enhanced CT is the injection of some contrast agent into blood vessels on the basis of CT plain scan, so that various organs of the human body can become clearer under CT scan, and we can also distinguish the differences between organs and lesions from the examination. This can provide better convenience for doctors, allowing them to discover the location of lesions in patients' bodies. However, most people are not willing to accept this type of CT examination because the contrast agent has a certain degree of radiation, and out of fear, few patients are willing to accept the injection of radiation into their bodies. Therefore, not everyone knows about this type of CT examination.
3. CT vascular imaging: CT vascular imaging and CT enhancement have similarities in that they both require the injection of contrast agent through peripheral veins, but for different purposes. Vascular imaging mainly displays arteries or veins with relatively large diameters. Due to the different purposes of display, CT vascular imaging and CT enhancement have differences in injection flow rate and speed.
4. CT three-dimensional reconstruction examination: CT three-dimensional reconstruction is the use of raw data obtained from CT plain scan, which is transmitted to a post-processing workstation for a series of post-processing methods, including commonly used coronal and sagittal reconstruction. CT examination is all raw data, all transverse scans, and the obtained coronal or sagittal images are obtained through post-processing.
What scope can CT scan be applied to in clinical practice?
The scope of CT examination is very wide, almost suitable for the examination of various organs throughout the body, such as 1. Examination of the brain to determine whether the patient has cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage, brain tumors, congenital developmental abnormalities in the brain, etc. 2. Examination of lumbar and cervical vertebrae to determine whether the patient has lumbar or cervical hyperplasia or other lesions. 3. Pulmonary examination to determine whether the patient has pneumonia, pulmonary nodules, pulmonary tumors, pulmonary tuberculosis, pneumothorax, pleural effusion, etc. 4. Abdominal examination, such as liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, adrenal glands, abdominal blood vessels, as well as the patient's bladder, prostate, etc. CT can also examine the nasopharynx, thyroid, and skeletal system.
The above is some relevant knowledge about CT and CT examination that we have shared with you today. We hope that after reading these popular science knowledge, you can have a comprehensive and correct understanding of CT, so that you can make correct choices and applications in future CT examinations.