Computerized Tomography: CT Scan

Computerized Tomography, notably known as CT scan or CAT scan (Computerized Axial Tomography) has become one of the most valuable medical diagnostic tools ranking as one of the Top 5 medical developments in the last 40 years. Unlike conventional X-rays, CT scanning offers very detailed images of the internal anatomy, tissues as well as the bones, lungs, and blood vessels without the overlapping of structures in order to make the images more apparent. Typically, the CT scanner is a large, doughnut shaped machine with a tunnel in the middle. Rotating around, electronic x-ray detectors and the x-ray tube are located opposite to each other in a gantry so that multiple images can be taken at all angles and then stored in the computer for later analysis.

Invented in 1972 by British engineer Godfrey Hounsfield of EMI Laboratories and South African physicist Allan Cormack of Tufts University, the first clinical CT scanners were installed between 1974 and 1976. The original CT scanners were only dedicated to head imaging at first until 1976 when larger, whole body systems became available. Compared to modern- day multi slice CT scanners which can collect up to 4 slices of data in about 350 ms and reconstruct a 512 x 512-matrix image from millions of data points in less than a second (" Brief History of CT", n.d), Hounsfield's very first CT scanner (developed in his EMI lab) took a while to acquire the raw data necessary for a single scan, hindering the time taken for the reconstruction of a single image. By about 1980, CT had become widely available- an year after Hounsfield and Comark earned the Nobel Peace Prize for their tremendous contribution to the world of science and

It is often considered as the best method for the detection of many different types of cancer including lymphoma, neuroblastoma or kidney tumors as it allows physicians to confirm the presence of a tumor, identify its precise location and by extension, to determine the extent of its involvement with neighboring tissues. Notwithstanding, this medical technique is invaluable in diagnosing and examining spinal cord problems since it clearly depicts the small bones as well as surrounding blood vessels and muscle tissue. In emergency situations, it quickly identifies injuries to the lungs, heart and vessels, liver, spleen, kidney or other internal organs in case of trauma. As insignificant as it might seem, it is of great help when examining a patient with trauma from any motor vehicle accident. Many at times, biopsies and other procedures such as the growing of drainage or minimal tumor treatments are guided by CT scan examinations in order to stage, plan and administer radiation treatments. In a nutshell, CT scanning is globally acceptable by the public as it is often used to evaluate patients with lung cancer, cystic fibrosis, complications of pneumonia or acute appendicitis, inflammatory bowel diseases and other severe injuries in the internal human