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CT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography)Read the CT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography) article » What is a CT scan?A computerized axial tomography scan is an x-ray procedure that combines many x-ray images with the aid of a computer to generate cross-sectional views and, if needed, three-dimensional images of the internal organs and structures of the body. Computerized axial tomography is more commonly known by its abbreviated names, CT scan or CAT scan. A CT scan is used to define normal and abnormal structures in the body and/or assist in procedures by helping to accurately guide the placement of instruments or treatments. A large donut-shaped x-ray machine takes x-ray images at many different angles around the body. These images are processed by a computer to produce cross-sectional pictures of the body. In each of these pictures the body is seen as an x-ray "slice" of the body, which is recorded on a film. This recorded image is called a tomogram. "Computerized Axial Tomography" refers to the recorded tomogram "sections" at different levels of the body. Imagine the body as a loaf of bread and you are looking at one end of the loaf. As you remove each slice of bread, you can see the entire surface of that slice from the crust to the center. The body is seen on CT scan slices in a similar fashion from the skin to the central part of the body being examined. When these levels are further "added" together, a three-dimensional picture of an organ or abnormal body structure can be obtained. Why are CT scans performed?CT scans are performed to analyze the internal structures of various parts of the body. This includes the head, where traumatic injuries, (such as blood clots or skull fractures), tumors, and infections can be identified. In the spine, the bony structure of the vertebrae can be accurately defined, as can the anatomy of the intervertebral discs and spinal cord. In fact, CT scan methods can be used to accurately measure the density of bone in evaluating osteoporosis. Occ... Recommended Reading Related to CT Scan (Computerized Tomography)Allergies: Allergies to MedicationsMany drugs can cause adverse side effects, and certain medicines can trigger allergic reactions. In an allergic reaction, the immune system mistakenly responds to a drug by creating an immune response against it. The immune system recognizes the drug as a foreign substance and the body produces certain chemicals, such as large amounts of histamine in an attempt to expel the drug from the body. What Are the Symptoms of Drug Allergy?Symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening. Even in people who aren't allergic, many drugs can cause irritation, such as an upset stomach. But during an allergic reaction, the release of histamine can cause symptoms like hives, skin rash, itchy skin or eyes, congestion, and swelling in the mouth and throat. A more severe reaction may include difficulty breathing, blueness of the skin, dizziness, fainting, anxiety, confusion, rapid pulse,... Other Related CAT Scan ArticlesEmergency Contact for Ellicott City
Nearby Ellicott City Hospitals * Sheppard Pratt at Ellicott City  Spring Grove Hospital Center  Kernan Hospital  Howard County General Hospital  Northwest Hospital  Saint Agnes Hospital  Bon Secours Baltimore Health System  Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center & Hospital  Sinai Hospital of Baltimore  Baltimore VA Medical Center  University of Maryland Medical Center  Maryland General Hospital  Harbor Hospital Center  University Specialty Hospital  Mercy Medical Center  Mt Washington Pediatric Hospital  Union Memorial Hospital  Kennedy Krieger Institute  Johns Hopkins Hospital  Springfield Hospital Center  Sheppard Pratt Health System  Greater Baltimore Medical Center  Baltimore Washington Medical Center  Good Samaritan Hospital of Maryland  St Joseph Medical Center  Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center  Laurel Regional Hospital  Montgomery General Hospital  Franklin Square Hospital Center  Doctors Community Hospital  Holy Cross Hospital  Carroll Hospital Center  Washington Adventist Hospital  Walter Reed Army Medical Center  Anne Arundel Medical Center  Prince George's Hospital Center  National Institutes of Health  Shady Grove Adventist Hospital  Gladys Spellman Specialty Hospital  Suburban Hospital  Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital of Maryland  Potomac Ridge Behavioral Health Adventist HealthCare  The HSC Pediatric Center  Providence Hospital  Washington DC VA Medical Center  National Rehabilitation Hospital  Washington Hospital Center  Children's National Medical Center  Psychiatric Institute of Washington  Howard University Hospital  United Medical Center  The Specialty Hospital of Washington  Sibley Memorial Hospital  The George Washington University Hospital  Georgetown University Hospital  Upper Chesapeake Medical Center  Saint Elizabeth's Hospital  Virginia Hospital Center  The Specialty Hospital of Washington-Hadley  Dominion Hospital  Frederick Memorial Hospital  Inova Alexandria Hospital Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
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Low Blood Pressure
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Rash
- The word "rash" means an outbreak of red bumps on the body. The way people use this term, "a rash" can refer to many different skin conditions. The most common of these are scaly patches of skin and red, itchy bumps or patches all over the place.
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Abdominal Pain
- Abdominal pain is pain in the belly and can be acute or chronic. Causes include inflammation, distention of an organ, and loss of the blood supply to an organ. Abdominal pain can reflect a major problem with one of the organs in the abdomen such as the appendix, gallbladder, large and small intestine, pancreas, liver, colon, duodenum, and spleen.
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Kidney Stones
- One in every 20 people develop a kidney stone at some point in their life. A kidney stone is a hard mineral and crystalline material formed within the kidney or urinary tract. Kidney stones symptoms and signs are, blood in the urine and pain in the abdomen, flank (lower back), or groin. A number of different conditions can lead to kidney stones including: gout, hypercalciuria, people with inflammatory bowel disease, kidney disease, and hypoparathyroidism. Some medications also increase the risk of kidney stones.
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Kidney Failure
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Pinched Nerve
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Sciatica
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Lung Cancer
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Appendicitis
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Pregnancy (Stages - Trimesters of Pregnancy)
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Kidney Infection
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Liver Disease
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Diverticulitis (Diverticulosis)
- Diverticulitis is a condition in which diverticuli in the colon rupture. The rupture results in infection in the tissues that surround the colon. Diverticulitis symptoms include: abdominal pain, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, constipation, and bloating. Treatment methods include prescription medications, and in some cases, diverticulitis surgery.
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Swollen Lymph Nodes
- Lymph nodes help the body's immune system fight infections. Causes of swollen lymph nodes (glands) may include infection (viral, bacterial, fungal, parasites). Symptoms of swollen lymph nodes vary greatly. They can sometimes be tender, painful or disfiguring. The treatment of swollen lymph nodes depends upon the cause.
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Blood Clots
- Blood clots can occur in the venous and arterial vascular system. Blood clots can form in the heart, legs, arteries, veins, bladder, urinary tract and uterus. Risk factors for blood clots include high blood pressure and cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and family history. Symptoms of a blood clot depend on the location of the clot. Some blood clots are a medical emergency. Blood clots are treated depending upon the cause of the clot. Blood clots can be prevented by lowering the risk factors for developing blood clots.
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Hives
- Hives, also called urticaria, is a raised, itchy area of skin that is usually a sign of an allergic reaction. The allergy may be to food or medications, but usually the cause of the allergy (the allergen) is unknown.
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Dizziness
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Lower Back Pain
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Sinus Infection
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Brain Tumor
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Ovarian Cancer
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Liver Cancer
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Pancreatic Cancer
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Intestinal Gas
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Necrotizing Fasciitis
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Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)
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Bone Cancer
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Stroke
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Pulmonary Embolism (Blood Clot in the Lung)
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