CT-Scan

Done by;
Nada al-rammah Sara Al-Ghamdi Fatimah Amnah fatimh

Outlines:
Comparison btw. CT and MRI -principle - machine - indication - examination process - value compare to limitation

Comparison chart
CT Scan Principal used for Uses X-rays for imaging imaging: About: CT Scan or Computed tomography is a medical imaging obtained using Xrays. The radiation is passed through the body and received by a detector and then integrated by a computer to obtain a cross sectional image that is displayed on the screen. uses radio waves and magnetic filed. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a medical imaging technique most commonly used in radiology to visualize detailed internal structure and limited function of the body. MRI

Time taken for Usually completed within 5 complete scan: minutes

Scanning typically run for about 30 minutes.

CT Scan
Principle X-ray attenuation was detected by detector & DAS system, follow by math. model (back projection model) to calculate the value of pixelsm then become a imag. MRI makes use of magnetic fields.

MRI

Ability to change the imaging plane without moving the patient:

with capability of MDCT, after helical scan with Mlti-plane Reformation function. operator can constructe any plane. Provides good details about bony structures Less tissue contrast compared to MRI

MRI machines can produce images in any plane

Details of bony structures: Details of soft tissues:

Less detailed compared to CT scan Much higher detail in the soft tissues

CT Radiation exposure: Effects on the body: Moderate to high radiation Despite being small, CT can pose the risk of irradiation.

MRI None No biological hazards have been reported with the use of the MRI.

What is the X-ray computed tomography (CT)? It is a medical image method employing tomography created by computer processing. Digital geometry processing is used to generate a 3 D image of the inside of an object from a large series of two-dimensional Xray images taken around a single axis of rotation beam

principle c.T. scan priciple

CT arrangement. Axial slice through patient is swept out by narrow (pencil-width) xray beam as linked x-ray tubedetector apparatus scans across patient in linear translation. Translations are repeated at many angles. Thickness of narrow beam is equivalent to slice thickness.

Cont ,
x-Ray transmission measurements. Measurements are obtained at many points during translation motion of tube and detector. x-Ray path corresponding to each measurement is designated a ray, and set of rays measured during translation is designated a view. Views are collected at many angles (in 1 increments in this example) to acquire sufficient data for image reconstruction

how does the equipment look like?

indication
Since its introduction in the 1970s, CT has become an important tool in medical imaging to supplement x -ray . It has more recently been used for diagnostic needs.

1- The head
Computed tomography of human brain, from base of the skull to top. Taken with intravenous contrast medium

1- The head

CT scan of a patient who has had middle cerebral artery stroke. The arrow indicates the location of the stroke

1- The head

2- lungs
This is a CT scan of the upper lungs. This individual has a mass in upper part of the right lung (left side of picture

2- lungs
Enhanced CT scan at level of heart shows large left ventricular aneurysm partially filled with clot

3- Abdominal
CT is a sensitive method for diagnosisof Abdominal diseases. It is used frequently to determine stage of cancer and to follow progress. It is also a useful test to investigate acute abdominal pain.

CT of Small Bowel Obstruction. Axia l CT scan through the lower abdomen shows multiple fluidfilled and dilated loops of small bowel (white arrows) and collapsed right colon (red arrow)

4- pelvis
CT scan of the pelvis showing a large intra-abdominal mass

 5- Extremities CT is often used to image complex fractures, especially ones around joints, because of its ability to reconstruct the area of interest in multiple planes. Fractures, ligamentous injuries and dislocations can easily be recognised he radiation dose for a particular study depends on multiple factors: volume scanned, patient build, number and type of scan sequences, and desired resolution and image quality

How the test is preformed ?

You will be asked to lie on a narrow table that slides into the center of the CT scanner. Once you are inside the scanner, the machine's x-ray beam rotates around you. (Modern "spiral" scanners can perform the exam without stopping.) A computer creates separate images of the body area, called slices. These images can be stored, viewed on a monitor, or printed on film. Three-dimensional models of the body area can be created by stacking the slices together. You must be still during the exam, because movement causes blurred images. You may be told to hold your breath for short periods of time. Generally, complete scans take only a few minutes. The newest scanners can image your entire body, head to toe, in less than 30 seconds.

The feeling of the test

Some people may have discomfort from lying on the hard table. Contrast given through an IV may cause a slight burning sensation, a metallic taste in the mouth, and a warm flushing of the body. These sensations are normal and usually go away within a few seconds.

CT scanning is painless, noninvasive and accurate. A major advantage of CT is its ability to image bone, soft tissue and blood vessels all at the same time. Unlike conventional x-rays, CT scanning provides very detailed images of many types of tissue as well as the lungs, bones, and blood vessels. CT examinations are fast and simple; in emergency cases, they can reveal internal injuries and bleeding quickly enough to help save lives. CT has been shown to be a cost-effective imaging tool for a wide range of clinical problems. usually have no immediate side effects.

what are the benefits vs. risks? Benefits

 CT is less sensitive to patient movement than MRI. CT can be performed if you have an implanted medical device of any kind, unlike MRI. CT imaging provides real-time imaging, making it a good tool for guiding minimally invasive procedures such as needle biopsies and needle aspirations of many areas of the body, particularly the lungs, abdomen, pelvis and bones. A diagnosis determined by CT scanning may eliminate the need for exploratory surgery and surgical biopsy. No radiation remains in a patient's body after a CT examination. X-rays used in CT scans

value compare to limitation

What are the limitations of CT Scanning of the Body? Soft-tissue details in areas such as the brain, internal pelvic organs, and joints (such as knees and shoulders) can often be better evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging(MRI). A CT exam is not generally indicated for pregnant women. A person who is very large may not fit into the opening of a conventional CT scanner or may be over the weight limitusually 450 pounds for the moving table.

MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a test that uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to make pictures of organs and structures inside the body. In many cases MRI gives different information about structures in the body than can be seen with an X-ray , ultrasound, or computed tomography (CT) scan. MRI also may show problems that cannot be seen with other imaging methods It can be saved on a computer for more study.

principle
Unlike conventional x-ray examinations and CT scans, MRI does not depend on ionizing radiation. Instead, while in the magnet, radio waves redirect the axes of spinning protons, which are the nuclei of hydrogen atoms, in a strong magnetic field.

indications
Why It Is Done Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is done for many reasons. It is used to find problems such as tumors, bleeding, injury, blood vessel diseases, or infection. MRI also may be done to provide more information about a problem seen on an X-ray, ultrasound scan, or CT scan. Contrast material may be used during MRI to show abnormal tissue more clearly. An MRI scan can be done for the:

1-Head:
MRI can look at the brain for tumors, an aneurysm, bleeding in the brain, nerve injury, and other problems, such as damage caused by a stroke. MRI can also find problems of the eyes and optic nerves, the ears and auditory nerves
MRI done a week following ICH

2-Chest:
MRI of the chest can look at the heart, the valves, and coronary blood vessels. It can show if the heart or lungs are damaged. MRI of the chest may also be used to look for breast or lung cancer.

Axial MR image of the heart showing multiple filling defects in the main pulmonary arteries, suggestive of pulmonary embolism (arrows).

3-Blood vessels:
Using MRI to look at blood vessels and the flow of blood through them is called magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). It can find problems of the arteries and veins, such as an aneurysm, a blocked blood vessel, or the torn lining of a blood vessel (dissection). Sometimes contrast material is used to see the blood vessels more clearly.
This picture reveals an occluded artery (arrows) in the palm after a crushing injury.

4- Abdomen and pelvis:

MRI can find problems in the organs and structures in the belly, such as the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys, and bladder. It is used to find tumors, bleeding, infection, and blockage. In women, it can look at the uterus and ovaries. In men, it looks at the prostate

Here is an example of a rare cystic tumor of the pancreatic duct; the pancreatic duct is damaged by pancreatitis (arrow

5- Bones and joints:

MRI can check for problems of the bones and joints, such asarthritis, problems with the temporomandibular joint, bone marrow problems,bone tumors, cartilage problems, torn ligaments or tendons, or infection. MRI may also be used to tell if a bone is broken when X-ray results are not clear. MRI is done more commonly than other tests to check for some bone and joint problems
This image shows infection (arrow) in the bones of the great toe of a patient with diabetes.

6- Spine:
MRI can check the discs and nerves of the spine for conditions such as spinal stenosis, disc bulges, and spinal tumors.

This image shows tumors growing out from the spine (arrows) in a child. This rare disease, called neurofibromatosis, causes benign tumors throughout the body.

How the test is preformed ?

You will need to take off all or most of your clothes During the test you will lie on your back on a table that is part of the MRI scanner. Your head, chest, and arms may be held with straps to help you remain still. The table will slide into the space that contains the magnet. A device called a coil may be placed over or wrapped around the area to be scanned. A special belt strap may be used to sense your breathing or heartbeat. This triggers the machine to take the scan at the right time.

 Some people feel nervous (claustrophobic) inside the MRI magnet. If this keeps you from lying still, you can be given a medicine (sedative) to help you relax Open MRI machines may be helpful if you are claustrophobic, but they are not available everywhere. The pictures from an open MRI may not be as good as those from a standard MRI machine

 Inside the scanner you will hear a fan and feel air moving. You may also hear tapping or snapping noises as the MRI scans are taken. You may be given earplugs or headphones with music to reduce the noise You may be asked to hold your breath for short periods of time

 The patient will be alone and the radiologist watching through a window , can connect by two way intercom If contrast material is needed, the technologist will put it in an intravenous (IV) linein your arm. The material may be given over 1 to 2 minutes. Then more MRI scans are done. An MRI test usually takes 30 to 60 minutes but can take as long as 2 hours.

The feeling of the test

You will not have pain from the magnetic field or radio waves used for the MRI test. The table you lie on may feel hard and the room may be cool. You may be tired or sore from lying in one position for a long time. If a contrast material is used, you may feel some coolness and flushing as it is put into your IV.

 In rare cases, you may feel: A tingling feeling in the mouth if you have metal dental fillings. Warmth in the area being examined. This is normal. Tell the technologist if you have nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, pain, burning, or breathing problems

Benefits
MRI is a non-invasive imaging technique that does not involve exposure to ionizing radiation. MR images of the soft-tissue structures of the bodysuch as the heart, liver and many other organs ; is more likely in some instances to identify and accurately characterize diseases than other imaging methods. This detail makes MRI an invaluable tool in early diagnosis and evaluation of many focal lesions and tumors. MRI enables the discovery of cancers and abnormalities that might be obscured by bone with other imaging methods. MRI allows physicians to assess the biliary system noninvasively and without contrast injection. The contrast material used in MRI exams is less likely to produce an allergic reaction than the iodine-based contrast materials used for conventional x-rays and CT scanning.

Risks
There are no known harmful effects from the strong magnetic field used for MRI. But the magnet is very powerful. may affect pacemakers, artificial limbs, and other medical devices that contain iron. An MRI can cause a burn with some medication patches. Be sure to tell your health professional if you are wearing a patch

 There is a slight risk of an allergic reaction if contrast material is used during the MRI. But most reactions are mild and can be treated using medicine. There also is a slight risk of an infection at the IV site.

Refferance
Shaw AS, Dixon AK. Multidetector computed tomography. In: Adam A, Dixon AK, eds. Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology: A Textbook of Medical Imaging . 5th ed. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone; 2008:chap 4 http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?p g=bodyct http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X- ray_computed_tomography

Cont,
CT Scan | Medindia http://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinf o/CT-Scan.htm#ixzz1d6bmFEaZ http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg =bodyct