An electronic image recording plate captures soft tissues, such as the heart or lungs, and shows up in gray shades.
Low levels of radiation are directed through the body part examined in a regular X-ray examination. Various body parts absorb X-rays in different amounts, allowing doctors to distinguish body parts from one another in a CT image. How Does a Chest CT Scan Work?Ī chest CT scan works similarly to other X-ray exams. This type of CT scan uses a lower radiation level than a conventional chest CT scan, reducing the dose by 65% or more(4). Pleural effusion (excess fluid around the lungs)Ī low-dose chest CT scan produces images of sufficient quality to detect diseases and abnormalities.Bronchiectasis (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).Pulmonary embolism (blocked blood flow in the lung).The medical images can help determine if the patient has any of the following disorders(3): The computer can combine the images to create three-dimensional (3D) models to show the size, shape, and position of the organs inside the body.ĬT scans of the chest can identify the cause of various chest symptoms, including chest pain, cough, shortness of breath, or fever. This technique forms a cross-sectional image to avoid the superimposition of structures in conventional chest imaging, with an increase in attenuation sensitivity(2). CT Scan of the ChestĬT scan provides images that are more detailed than regular X-rays. This medical imaging tool uses special X-ray equipment and computer technology to generate detailed pictures of the body and its structures. The chest or thorax is the region between the neck and diaphragm that encloses organs, such as the heart, lungs, esophagus, trachea, and thoracic diaphragm.Ĭomputed tomography (CT) of the chest can detect pathology that may not show up on a conventional chest radiograph(1). This photo gallery presents the anatomy of the chest by means of CT (axial reconstructions - mediastinal window).