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| Computed Axial Tomography (CT scan, CAT scan) |
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A CT scan allows veterinarians to visualize parts
of the body that are difficult to evaluate with other
imaging methods. CT scans are especially useful for imaging
areas such as the brain, nasal cavity, sinuses, joints, and
the lungs.
During a CT scan, the x-ray tube rotates around the patient
while sensitive detectors within the scanner measure the
amount of x-ray transmission through the body. A computer
uses this data to construct a series of cross-sectional
images of the patient. The result of the scan is a series of
images or "slices" of the body that can be viewed
individually or "stacked" to produce a 3-dimensional
picture. In some cases, the patient is given an intravenous
injection that improves contrast and makes it easier to
differentiate tissues and reveal blood clots and tumors.
Anesthesia or sedation is required during the CT imaging
procedure in order to ensure that the patient does not move
and that detailed images are obtained. The length of
anesthesia time varies depending on the area being studied,
but in general, it is relatively short. Patients are closely
monitored during the CT scan using equipment that measures
heart rate, blood pressure, respiration rate, and oxygen
levels. Click here for more information about
patient care and monitoring.
The advanced Toshiba Aquilion 4 multislice CT scanner at Four Seasons Animal Hospital is the same
model used in human health care and offers many advantages.
It provides a higher degree of lesion detection, better
lesion characterization, more rapid acquisition of images,
decreased anesthesia time and more accurate imaging of
moving intra-thoracic and intra-abdominal organs. It can
even produce accurate 3-dimensional images of internal
anatomy.
For more information about computed tomography, ask your
veterinarian or visit these links:
US Food and Drug Administration
US National Library of Medicine/National Institutes of
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