CT scan of the brain

A CT or CAT scan (computed tomography) is a much more sensitive imaging technique than X-ray. It produces high definition images not only of the bony structures but also of the soft tissues. Clear images of organs such as the brain, muscles, joint structures, veins and arteries, as well as anomalies like tumors and hemorrhages, may be obtained with or without the injection of contrasting dye.

Review Date: 12/23/2019

Reviewed By: Amit M. Shelat, DO, FACP, FAAN, Attending Neurologist and Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, Stony Brook, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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