What is Computed Tomography? How to Take?

Computerized tomography (CT) is an examination method that enables the imaging of a large number of radiographs taken from different angles of the body parts, called cross-sections, by transferring them to the computer. X-ray is used in this method.

What are the Types of Computerized Tomography?

In parallel with today's technological developments, the section thicknesses taken in tomography have been thinned. In this way, more precise and faster results are obtained for the areas displayed in CT. In addition, CT devices have also differentiated.

• Multidetector CT

With 16 and 64 slice computed tomography (CT) device, it is very short like 15-20 seconds. This system, which has a very important place in the evaluation of the lungs, heart and coronary vessels, enables the recognition of even disease findings in tissues that are very difficult to distinguish by the human eye, and thus increases the richness of the image with 3D studies. It enables the diagnosis of diseases in a very early period.

With this device, virtual colonoscopy, virtual bronchoscopy, CT angiography examinations for all vessels in the body, including coronary arteries, can be performed.

• Multisection Double Tube Computed Tomography (Dual Source Multislice CT)

It is possible to view the heart and coronary arteries in a very short time like 5-6 seconds with 128-slice double tube CT device without being affected by heart rate. body regions can be evaluated in 3 planes and 3 dimensions, and tissues can be examined with millimetric precision.

With virtual bronchoscopy and colonoscopy features and angiography examinations of all body regions, bronchi, large intestine and vessels can be visualized without the need for major interventions, internal analysis of organs can be performed, and diameter narrowing of vessels can be detected in the most accurate way.

Nodule follow-up. With the program, the development of small lesions, especially in the lung, can be clearly monitored.

• Single Photon Emission CT- SPECT

nuclear tomographic image It is a multiplication technique.
SPECT converts 2D images scanned from different angles by a gamma camera into 3D tomographic images with the help of a computer.

Although it is no different from a gamma camera in terms of working principle, SPECT detectors are generally capable of rotating 180-360 degrees. They are designed in such a way.

SPECT method often; It is used in myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (heart scintigraphy) and brain perfusion scintigraphy.
However, with this method, it is possible to apply tomographic scans of organs such as bone, kidney, lung and liver.
When images obtained by SPECT method are combined with computed tomography images, they can show the location more accurately.

How to Take Computerized Tomography?

In the computed tomography, the patient is in the supine position. A stretcher is placed inside the device. The section thickness is adjusted from the computer. The patient is positioned according to the area to be displayed. Then, the engine of the device is started and regional images of X-rays are created. If the imaging is to be performed with drugs (contrast), the vascular access is opened, the drug is given and sections are taken.

Computed tomography results are examined on the computer screen or printed on a CD or sent to the radiologist for evaluation in hard copy. The radiologist evaluates all the images and prepares the CT report.

What are the Uses of Computed Tomography?

CT is used for detailed examination in different body parts. Some of them are;

• Thorax CT: The chest area where the lungs are in is called the thorax in medical language. Thorax CT evaluates the lung structure, bronchi, regional lymph nodes and vascular structures and the size of the heart.
• Cranial CT: It gives detailed information from the skull bones to the distribution of the structures in the brain and the state of the vascular structures.
• Cardiac Coronary CT angiography: It is used to determine the presence, location and size of stenosis or occlusion in the heart vessels by administering drugs through the arm.
• CT angiography: It is used in the evaluation of problems in the vessels of the brain, neck, kidney and extremities.

Computerized Tomography N e Does it work?

In addition to helping the diagnosis, computed tomography is also used as a guide in the evaluation of treatment and intervention in the correct area in interventional procedures.

Examples of these situations are;

• Evaluation of internal organs in terms of condition and bleeding in severe injuries,
• Evaluation of bone line and general condition of bone in fractures of bones, diagnosis of bone tumors,
• Evaluation of patients preparing for surgery and radiation therapy,
• Staging of many cancers,
• Detailed evaluation of lung tissue (asthma, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease),
• Detailed imaging of the area to be biopsied (CT guided biopsy).

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