Now at NDIC, a new generation of CT (commonly called CAT Scan) uses new, spiral technology to provide both the comfort you want and the results your physician needs.

What is CT?
Computed Tomography (CT) is a relatively simple, safe, and completely patient friendly examination.  CT is a special imaging modality, which uses computers and x-rays to obtain cross-sectional images of our bodies. Each image is acquired by an x-ray tube rotating around the patient.  The radiologist is able to look at each and every individual image and can clearly view all parts of your body, similar to examining every single slice from a loaf of bread.

Why a CT Scan is ordered?
CT scan is able to detect many conditions that do not show up on conventional x-rays. Many details can be revealed using CT without surgical exploration. Your doctor has ordered this exam to help make a more accurate diagnosis and determine the best course of treatment for you. The following is a list of some of the many parts of the body CT scan is used to image:

• Head-brain, blood vessels of the brain, eyes, inner ear, sinus, facial bones
• Neck-parotid, thyroid, lymph nodes, larynx, oral pharynx, blood vessels of the neck
• Chest-lungs, mediastinum, chest wall, heart, pulmonary vessels
• Abdomen-liver, pancreas, kidneys, spleen, adrenals, stomach, intestines, blood vessels Pelvis hips, bladder, intestines, prostate gland, genitalia
• Spine-cervical, thoracic, lumbar
• Skeletal-skull, mandible, sternum, shoulder, arm, hand, wrist, elbow, leg, knee, ankle, foot

What about the Radiation?
Radiation is part of our everyday environment. The average individual receives 3mSv of radiation each year from air travel, earth, and space. To better understand the radiation risk to the individual, I will attempt to put this into context. The average individual has a 30-40% risk of developing cancer in their lifetime. Receiving 1Sv or 1000 mSv would increase this risk by 4%. The national average for a chest CT is 7 mSv, based on this you would have to receive 140 chest CT’s to increase your risk by 4%. The individual should understand that radiation dose is cumulative; which means that the biological effects increase with each dose and may not manifest for 20 years or more.

At NDIC, we practice the ALARA principle, which is an acronym for As Low As Reasonably Achievable. NDIC is also ACR accredited, which means, that we conform to the national safety standards provided by the American College of Radiology. The doses at NDIC are consistently 30-50% less than the national average; this is accomplished by having Board Certified Technologists in CT, adhering to strict protocols, scanning only what is necessary, and using the technology to its fullest potential. Used optimally, CT is one of the most valuable tools to image the body.

CT Exams

Below we have detailed the CT screening exams we perform at NDIC.

• CT Body Screening
• CT Heart Score / Calcium Score
• CT Coronary Angiography of the Heart (CCTA)
• CT Enterography
• CT Urogram
• CT Angiography (CTA)
• CT of the Chest, Abdomen and Pelvis
• CT of the Head, Neck, Spine, and Extremities
• CT Lung Screening