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What is a CT scan?
Computerized (or computed) tomography, and often formerly referred to as computerized axial tomography (CAT) 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 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 or scanner 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.
See what others are saying
I had a CT scan today 10/17/16 with iodine contrast. I didn't feel anything, no heat and no metallic taste in my mouth. The whole test was over in 10 minutes. I was dizzy afterwards for about 30 minutes and felt out of breath for the day.
CT scan isn't bad. You lie on a skinny table, and lay your hands above your head. The machine looks like a big donut. The skinny bed moves to where they take the pictures. It will tell you to hold your breath, and let it out. If they use contrast, they will put it in your IV, and it just feels warm, as it moves through the body. It will make you feel, like you have to urinate, for a second, but that's it! It is not enclosed, or anything.
I had a pelvis CT scan today. I threw up right after the scan. Stomach was bloated all day and I had diarrhea after I drank the fluid they prescribed. Diarrhea stopped after a few hours. But the bloating lasted all day. Other than that, no pain or headache or dizziness.