What Is Nci Doing To Improve Ct Imaging
Researchers funded by NCI are studying ways to improve the use of CT in cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment. NCI also conducts and sponsors clinical trials that are testing ways to improve CT or new uses of CT imaging technology. Some of these clinical trials are run by the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group, one of five groups in NCIs National Clinical Trials Network. The American College of Radiology Imaging Network, which is now part of ECOG-ACRIN, performed the National CT Colonography Trial, which tested the use of CT for colorectal cancer screening, and participated in the NLST, which tested the use of CT for lung cancer screening in high-risk individuals
NCIs Cancer Imaging Program , part of the Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis , funds cancer-related basic, translational, and clinical research in imaging sciences and technology. CIP supports the development of novel imaging agents for CT and other types of imaging procedures to help doctors better locate cancer cells in the body. In addition, CIP maintains the Cancer Imaging Archive, which is a library of medical images of cancer, including low-dose CT images, that are accessible for public download. This library has been used extensively by outside researchers in developing computer-aided diagnosis to help radiologists interpret CT images, for example, in lung cancer screening.
What Is The Difference Between A Bone Scan And A Ct Scan
A bone scan and a computed tomography scan are both used to diagnose various bone conditions. The specific use of a bone scan is to diagnose active bone diseases, such as osteoporosis, Pagets disease or the spread of cancer into the bone. A CT scan is a high-resolution X-ray that gives detailed information about organ anatomy.
Table. The difference between a bone scan and a CT scan
Schedule Your Appointment Today
Whether your doctor has ordered a CT scan or a PET scan, you may feel a little anxious about the procedure. Any medical imaging exam can cause worrisome feelings before and after the test. At Hollywood Diagnosticss Center, our team of dedicated, compassionate technologists want to make the experience as pleasant and stress-free as possible.
We have the latest technology and technologists who care, so you can depend on us to meet your imaging needs. To learn more about our services or schedule an appointment, contact our center today.
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Large Bore Ct Scanner/radiation Therapy With Simulation
This health-care tool produces detailed images of areas inside the body for planning radiation therapy. It uses simulation, fluoroscopy and respiratory gating to plan and deliver radiation.
Advantages may include:
- Locating abnormalities and guiding precision radiation therapy
- Planning for treatment options based on a patients breathing patterns
- Allowing for varying patient sizes and positioning
- Spending 15 to 30 minutes for the session, including the time it takes to put you in position and set up the equipment
How Does The Procedure Work
In many ways, a CT scan works like other x-ray exams. Different body parts absorb x-rays in different amounts. This difference allows the doctor to distinguish body parts from one another on an x-ray or CT image.
A conventional x-ray exam directs a small amount of radiation through the body part under examination. A special electronic image recording plate captures the image. Bones appear white on the x-ray. Soft tissue, such as the heart or liver, shows up in shades of gray. Air appears black.
With CT scanning, several x-ray beams and electronic x-ray detectors rotate around you. These measure the amount of radiation being absorbed throughout your body. Sometimes, the exam table will move during the scan. A special computer program processes this large volume of data to create two-dimensional cross-sectional images of your body. The system displays the images on a computer monitor. CT imaging is sometimes compared to looking into a loaf of bread by cutting the loaf into thin slices. When the computer software reassembles the image slices, the result is a very detailed multidimensional view of the body’s interior.
Nearly all CT scanners can obtain multiple slices in a single rotation. These multi-slice CT scanners obtain thinner slices in less time. This results in more detail.
For children, the radiologist will adjust the CT scanner technique to their size and the area of interest to reduce the radiation dose.
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What You Should Know
Your healthcare provider may ask for a CT scan to detect, diagnose, or plan treatment for a particular disease or injury.
Common uses of CT scan include checking for:
Find information on special considerations for pregnant women and children.
We all are exposed to ionizing radiation every day from the natural environment but added exposures can increase the possibility of developing cancer later in life. Your healthcare provider will recommend a CT scan when the benefits to your health outweigh the risk.
Talk to your healthcare provider and radiologist if you have any questions or concerns to decide on the best options for you.
What Are The Side Effects
Some people are allergic to the contrast materials. Most of the time, the reaction is mild. It can lead to itchiness or a rash. In very few cases, the dye may trigger a life-threatening reaction. For this reason, your health care provider may want to monitor you for a short period after your CT scan. Tell your doctor about any allergies you have to medications, seafood, or iodine.
Your doctor should know, too, if you have diabetes and are taking the drug metformin. Theyâll let you know if you should stop taking your medication before or after your procedure.
Although itâs rare, contrast materials can lead to kidney problems. Let your doctor know if you have any kidney issues before the CT scan.
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Preparing For A Ct Scan
Your appointment letter will mention anything you need to do to prepare for your scan.
You may be advised to avoid eating anything for several hours before your appointment to help make sure clear images are taken.
You should contact the hospital after receiving your appointment letter if you have any allergies or kidney problems, or if you’re taking medication for diabetes, as special arrangements may need to be made.
You should also let the hospital know if you’re pregnant. CT scans aren’t usually recommended for pregnant women unless it’s an emergency, as there’s a small chance the X-rays could harm your baby.
It’s a good idea to wear loose, comfortable clothes as you may be able to wear these during the scan.
Try to avoid wearing jewellery and clothes containing metal , as these will need to be removed.
What Are The Benefits Of A Ct Scan
CT scans are more detailed than CAT scans, providing a more complete image of the body. CT scans can be used to view organs and tissues in great detail, which can help doctors diagnose medical problems and recommend treatments. Additionally, CT scans can be used to plan surgeries or assess injuries.
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What Is A Computed Tomography Scan
The term computed tomography, or CT, refers to a computerized x-ray imaging procedure in which a narrow beam of x-rays is aimed at a patient and quickly rotated around the body, producing signals that are processed by the machines computer to generate cross-sectional images, or slices. These slices are called tomographic images and can give a clinician more detailed information than conventional x-rays. Once a number of successive slices are collected by the machines computer, they can be digitally stacked together to form a three-dimensional image of the patient that allows for easier identification of basic structures as well as possible tumors or abnormalities.
What Are The Possible Complications And Side Effects Of A Ct Scan
Some people react to the contrast dye. Possible reactions include:
- Shortness of breath
- Itching or facial swelling that can last up to an hour
These symptoms usually are mild and most often go away on their own. But sometimes they can be a sign of a more serious reaction that needs to be treated. Be sure to let your radiology technologist and your health care team know if you notice any changes after getting the contrast dye.
In rare cases, people can have a severe allergic reaction that causes low blood pressure or trouble breathing. This must be treated right away.
The IV contrast dye can also cause kidney problems. This is rare, and its more common in someone whose kidneys already dont work well. If you need a scan with contrast dye, your doctor may first do a blood test to check your kidney function. You may also get extra fluids in an IV or medicines to help your kidneys get rid of the dye safely.
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What Are The Advantages Of Mri
Where MRI really excels is showing certain diseases that a CT scan cannot detect. Some cancers, such as prostate cancer, uterine cancer, and certain liver cancers, are pretty much invisible or very hard to detect on a CT scan. Metastases to the bone and brain also show up better on an MRI. This imaging is also used for many purposes unrelated to cancer, including injuries to soft tissue or joints, and injury or disease of internal organs including the brain, heart, and digestive organs.
What Are The Benefits Of A Cat Scan
A CAT scan is a more detailed type of scan that can pick up on small abnormalities in the heart, lungs, liver, and other organs. The technology has improved so much over the years that it is now considered the standard for scanning large organs such as the brain and spine.
Some benefits of a CAT scan include:
-It can be used to diagnose diseases or injuries earlier than with a CT scan.-It provides greater detail than a CT scan and can help doctors see smaller abnormalities more clearly.-CAT scans are not affected by radiation as much as CT scans are, which may make them more suitable for patients who are pregnant or have young children.
There are also some potential drawbacks to a CAT scan:
-The procedure can be more expensive than a CT scan.-Some people experience discomfort during or after the scan due to the increased pressure on their body.
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How Is Ct Used In Cancer Screening
Studies have shown that CT can be effective in both colorectal cancerscreening and lung cancer screening.
Colorectal cancer
CT colonography can be used to screen for both large colorectal polyps and colorectal tumors. CT colonography uses the same dose of radiation that is used in standard CT of the abdomen and pelvis, which is about 10 millisieverts . As with standard colonoscopy, a thorough cleansing of the colon is performed before this test. During the examination, air or carbon dioxide is pumped into the colon to expand it for better viewing.
The National CT Colonography Trial, an NCI-sponsored clinical trial, found that the accuracy of CT colonography is similar to that of standard colonoscopy. CT colonography is less invasive than standard colonoscopy and has a lower risk of complications. However, if polyps or other abnormal growths are found on CT colonography, a standard colonoscopy is usually performed to remove them.
Whether CT colonography can help reduce the death rate from colorectal cancer is not yet known, and most insurance companies do not currently reimburse the costs of this procedure. Also, because CT colonography can produce images of organs and tissues outside the colon, it is possible that noncolorectal abnormalities may be found. Some of these “extracolonic” findings will be serious, but many will not be, leading to unnecessary additional tests and surgeries.
Lung cancer
How Does A Ct Scan Work
You might think of a CT scan as a very detailed x-ray. A CT scan machine uses multiple x-ray beams to capture images of the body from different angles. This information translates to cross-sectional pictures on a computer monitor.
To undergo the procedure, a patient will usually lie flat on an exam table. The table will then move through the CT scan machine as it takes images. The scanning process usually takes a few minutes. Some patients may need to ingest a contrast material before the scan, either by drinking the substance or receiving it intravenously. The contrast is a dye that highlights the areas being examined so doctors can see them more clearly. Although CT scans are a simple, painless procedure, technologists aim to perform the scan quickly.
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What Are Some Common Uses Of The Procedure
CT imaging is:
- one of the fastest and most accurate tools for examining the chest, abdomen and pelvis because it provides detailed, cross-sectional views of all types of tissue.
- used to examine patients with injuries from trauma such as a motor vehicle accident.
- performed on patients with acute symptoms such as chest or abdominal pain or difficulty breathing.
- often the best method for detecting cancers in the chest, abdomen and pelvis, such as lymphoma and cancers of the lung, liver, kidney, ovary and pancreas. It’s considered the best method since the image allows a physician to confirm the presence of a tumor, measure its size, identify its precise location and determine the extent of its involvement with other nearby tissue.
- an examination that plays a significant role in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of vascular diseases that can lead to stroke, kidney failure or even death. CT is commonly used to assess for pulmonary embolism as well as for aortic aneurysms.
In pediatric patients, CT imaging is often used to evaluate:
- severe injuries
Radiologists and radiation oncologists often use the CT examination to:
What Is A Ct Scan For
A CT scan produces images using an X-ray tube that travels 360 degrees around your body. As it moves, it gathers information from multiple angles to create cross-sectional images.
Doctors order CT scans for a number of reasons, including to:
- Look for bone and joint problems such as complex fractures and tumors
- Detect masses and spots associated with conditions like heart disease, cancer and emphysema
- Locate clots, tumors, infection or fluid buildup
- Check for internal injuries and bleeding following a traumatic event like a car accident
- Provide information in preparation for a surgery, biopsy or other procedure
- Compare images taken over a period of time to gauge the effectiveness of a treatment such as the chemotherapy or radiation used to shrink a tumor
In some cases, whats called a CT scan with contrast is needed. With this procedure, the technician performing the procedure inserts a catheter into one of your arms in order to administer a special dye called contrast material. This dye makes it easier for the scan to create a crisp image of tissues and organs that are less dense than bone and therefore may not show up as clearly.
The detail in a CT scan with contrast may make it the preferred approach over other imaging techniques in some instances. For example, a CT scan can provide better information on the bones of the spine than either a standard X-ray or an MRI scan, which is helpful when assessing conditions that affect the vertebrae and other bones.
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How Does It Work
In many ways, a CT scan works like other x-ray exams. Different body parts absorb x-rays in different amounts. This difference allows the doctor to distinguish body parts from one another on an x-ray or CT image.
A conventional x-ray exam directs a small amount of radiation through the body part under examination. A special electronic image recording plate captures the image. Bones appear white on the x-ray. Soft tissue, such as the heart or liver, shows up in shades of gray. Air appears black.
With CT scanning, several x-ray beams and electronic x-ray detectors rotate around you. These measure the amount of radiation being absorbed throughout your body. Sometimes, the exam table will move during the scan. A special computer program processes this large volume of data to create two-dimensional cross-sectional images of your body. The system displays the images on a computer monitor. CT imaging is sometimes compared to looking into a loaf of bread by cutting the loaf into thin slices. When the computer software reassembles the image slices, the result is a very detailed multidimensional view of the body’s interior.
Nearly all CT scanners can obtain multiple slices in a single rotation. These multi-slice CT scanners obtain thinner slices in less time. This results in more detail.
For children, the radiologist will adjust the CT scanner technique to their size and the area of interest to reduce the radiation dose.
How Do Ct Scans Work
They use a narrow X-ray beam that circles around one part of your body. This provides a series of images from many different angles. A computer uses this information to create a cross-sectional picture. Like one piece in a loaf of bread, this two-dimensional scan shows a âsliceâ of the inside of your body.
This process is repeated to produce a number of slices. The computer stacks these scans one on top of the other to create a detailed image of your organs, bones, or blood vessels. For example, a surgeon may use this type of scan to look at all sides of a tumor to prepare for an operation.
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What Will I Experience During And After The Procedure
CT exams are generally painless, fast, and easy. Multidetector CT reduces the amount of time that the patient needs to lie still.
Though the scan is painless, you may have some discomfort from remaining still for several minutes or from placement of an IV. If you have a hard time staying still, are very nervous, anxious, or in pain, you may find a CT exam stressful. The technologist or nurse, under the direction of a doctor, may offer you some medication to help you tolerate the CT exam.
If the exam uses iodinated contrast material, your doctor will screen you for chronic or acute kidney disease. The doctor may administer contrast material intravenously , so you will feel a pin prick when the nurse inserts the needle into your vein. You may feel warm or flushed as the contrast is injected. You also may have a metallic taste in your mouth. This will pass. You may feel a need to urinate. However, these are only side effects of the contrast injection, and they subside quickly.
If you swallow oral contrast material, you may find the taste mildly unpleasant. However, most patients can easily tolerate it. If you receive an enema, you can expect to experience a sense of abdominal fullness. You may also feel an increasing need to expel the liquid. If so, be patient the mild discomfort will not last long.
With pediatric patients, a parent may be allowed in the room but may need to wear a lead apron to minimize radiation exposure.