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Illustration of a patient in a CT scanner
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Also called: CAT scan

Computed tomography (CT) is a diagnostic procedure that uses special X-ray equipment to create cross-sectional pictures of your body. CT images are produced using X-ray technology and powerful computers.

The uses of CT include looking for

  • Broken bones
  • Cancers
  • Blood clots
  • Signs of heart disease
  • Internal bleeding

During a CT scan, you lie still on a table. The table slowly passes through the center of a large X-ray machine. The test is painless. During some tests you receive a contrast dye, which makes parts of your body show up better in the image.

National Cancer Institute

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  • CAT ScanInteractive Tutorial(Patient Education Institute) - Requires Flash Player
    Also available in Spanish