Computed tomography scan or CT scan is a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses X-rays and a computer to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body. CT scans are more detailed than standard X-rays and can show images of bones, muscles, organs, blood vessels, and fat. They allow healthcare professionals to visualise internal structures with remarkable clarity.
1971 was the landmark year when CT scans came into being. In 1971, British engineer Godfrey Hounsfield and South African physicist Allan Cormack developed the first practical CT scanner – a feat that earned them the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1979. The first clinical CT scanner was used at the Atkinson Morley Hospital in London, primarily to diagnose brain tumours and heralded the start of a new era in medical imaging.
CT scans have come a long way from 1971. Technological advances have increased their accuracy, reliability and performance dramatically aiding medical diagnosis substantially. Emerging innovations and the use of AI technology has revolutionised CT scans immensely expanding their scope and application.
Nowadays, CT scans are an oft-used and very effective diagnostic tool extensively used by medical professionals. They have a wide scope of application and are involved in diagnosing a variety of conditions, including trauma, cancers, infections, and vascular diseases.
Physicians are immensely benefitted by the detailed images produced by CT scans, especially for complex cases as they can assess more accurately. Trauma cases are perfect examples wherein they can quickly identify internal injuries and intervene promptly.
In oncology, CT scans play a crucial role in detecting tumours, determining their size and location, and monitoring treatment response. Their ability to produce three-dimensional images aids in planning surgeries and guiding biopsies. Moreover, CT angiography, a specialized form of CT, allows for the visualisation of blood vessels, providing vital information for diagnosing conditions like aneurysms or blockages.
CT scans are immensely beneficial as we have seen. However they are not entirely without risks. There is always a concern about potential long-term effects including a risk of cancer because of the exposure to ionising radiation. Keeping this in mind, medical professionals carefully weigh the pros and cons before recommending a CT scan.
At Mediplus, Rawdon Street patients can get the advantage of a state-of-the-art 128 slice CT scan machine that is leaps and bounds ahead in terms of technology and performance. A 128-slice CT scan is a type of computed tomography (CT) imaging that uses 128 detector rows to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body.
Assuring speed, precision, and versatility, this machine offers the following advantages:
However, CT scan machines continue to evolve, enhancing diagnostic accuracy, improving patient outcomes and shaping the healthcare landscape. One thing is clear… CT scans will continue to play a vital role in contemporary medicine in the future.
Neotia Mediplus OPD & Diagnostics Clinic (A Unit of PARK HOSPITALS)
CIN : U85110WB1990NPL049713
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