A CT scan, or computed tomography scan, is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses x-rays to create detailed cross-sectional pictures of your body. Imagine taking a slice of bread and seeing all the inside details like crumbs and air pockets. A CT scan does something similar but for your body.
It uses a narrow beam of radiation, similar to a regular x-ray machine. However, in a CT scan, the x-ray source and detectors rotate around you, capturing images from multiple angles.
These x-ray images are then fed into a powerful computer, which uses complex algorithms to process the data and create a comprehensive 3D picture of your body’s internal structures.
In some cases, a contrast-enhanced CT scan is performed, where a contrast dye (typically iodine-based) is injected into a vein in your arm. The circulating dye in your bloodstream helps enhance the visibility of blood vessels and certain organs.
Once the contrast dye reaches the target area, it absorbs x-rays differently than surrounding tissues. This difference in absorption allows the CT scan to create a clearer image of those structures. For example, blood vessels show up brighter with contrast, making it easier to detect blockages or abnormalities.