Chest CT - Overview & Technique

CT scanning—sometimes called CAT scanning—is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. CT scanning combines special x-ray equipment with sophisticated computers to produce multiple images or pictures of the inside of the body. These cross-sectional images of the area being studied can then be examined on a computer monitor, printed or transferred to a CD. CT scans of internal organs, bones, soft tissue and blood vessels provide greater clarity and reveal more details than regular x-ray exams. Using a variety of techniques, including adjusting the radiation dose based on patient size and new software technology, the amount of radiation needed to perform a chest CT scan can be significantly reduced. A low-dose chest CT produces images of sufficient image quality to detect many lung diseases and abnormalities using up to 65 percent less ionizing radiation than a conventional chest CT scan. This is especially true for detecting and following lung cancer. Other diseases, such as the detection of pulmonary embolism and interstitial lung disease may not be appropriate for low-dose chest CT. Your radiologist will decide the proper settings to be used for your scan depending on your medical problems and what information is needed from the CT scan. If your child is to have a CT scan, the proper low-dose pediatric settings should be used.

Chest CT - Alternative Names and Explanations

CT scan of the chest, thoracic CT scan, CAT scan of the chest, Chest CAT scan, CT Scan -  Chest w/o contrast 71250. CT Scan -  Chest with contrast 71260, CT Scan -  Chest with & w/o contrast 71270, Lung CT, Thoracic CT, CT of the thorax.

Chest CT - Benefits

• CT can be performed if you have an implanted medical device of any kind, unlike MRI.

CT of the Chest - Indications, Common Uses, & Positive Findings

• Abnormalities of the structure or position of the heart, lungs, or blood vessels
• Accumulations of blood or fluid
• Aortic aneurysm (thoracic)
• Bronchiectasis
• Enlarged lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy)
• Pleural effusion Pneumonia
• The stage of some lung tumors or esophageal cancer
• Tumors, nodules, or cysts within the chest
• Alcoholic cardiomyopathy
• Asbestosis
• Atrial myxoma
• Cardiac tamponade
• Coarctation of the aorta
• Dilated cardiomyopathy
• Echinococcus
• Heart failure
• Histoplasmosis
• Hypertensive heart disease
• Idiopathic cardiomyopathy
• Infective endocarditis
• Ischemic cardiomyopathy
• Left-sided heart failure
• Mesothelioma (malignant)
• Metastatic cancer to the lung
• Mitral regurgitation; acute
• Mitral regurgitation; chronic
• Mitral valve prolapse
• Pericarditis; bacterial
• Pericarditis; constrictive
• Pericarditis; post-MI
• Peripartum cardiomyopathy
• Pulmonary edema
• Restrictive cardiomyopathy
• Senile cardiac amyloid
• Superior vena cava obstruction

CT Chest - Images

CT Chest - References, Links, and Additional Information

Schedule Your Chest CT Scan Today! 

• If you are looking for professional radiology services at your imaging site/center, call us at 1-800-626-8315 or contact us for a consultation. 

• If you live in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Glendale, Mid-Wilshire and need to schedule a radiology examination such as a CT, CT Scan, Ultrasound, X ray, or PET scan, contact us to schedule an appointment. 

• If you are in search of other things, we're surprisingly resourceful!  Call us 1-800-626-8315 or contact us via our contact form.

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• Chest CT, CT scan of the chest, thoracic CT, Chest CAT scan, lung CT
• CT of the chest information page. Schedule a chest CT in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, or Glendale.
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