What is a CT thorax scan for?

To determine the size, shape, and position of organs in the chest and upper abdomen. To look for bleeding or fluid collections in the lungs or other areas. To look for infection or inflammation in the chest. To look for blood clots in the lungs.

What is the difference between CT scan and CT thorax?

Chest X-ray provides a 2D image, while a chest CT scan is able to produce a 3D view of your organs. An X-ray is built to examine dense tissues, while a CT scan is better able to capture bones, soft tissues and blood vessels all at the same time.

What organs are seen on a CT scan of thorax?

A chest CT (computed tomography) scan uses special X-ray equipment to take detailed images of the lungs, heart, blood vessels, airways, ribs and lymph nodes. Chest CT scans can help you doctor to determine the causes of chest symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath and chest pain.

How long does a CT thorax scan take?

How long does the test take? The test will take about 30 to 60 minutes. Most of this time is spent getting ready for the scan. The actual test only takes a few minutes.

What is the difference between chest and thorax?

thorax, the part of an animal’s body between its head and its midsection. In vertebrates (fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals), the thorax is the chest, with the chest being that part of the body between the neck and the abdomen.

How is CT thorax done?

In a CT scan, an X-ray beam moves in a circle around your body. It takes many images, called slices, of the lungs and inside the chest. A computer processes these images and displays it on a monitor. During the test, you may receive a contrast dye.

Why would a doctor order a CT scan?

CT scans can detect bone and joint problems, like complex bone fractures and tumors. If you have a condition like cancer, heart disease, emphysema, or liver masses, CT scans can spot it or help doctors see any changes. They show internal injuries and bleeding, such as those caused by a car accident.

What organs are in the thorax?

[2] The thoracic cavity contains organs and tissues that function in the respiratory (lungs, bronchi, trachea, pleura), cardiovascular (heart, pericardium, great vessels, lymphatics), nervous (vagus nerve, sympathetic chain, phrenic nerve, recurrent laryngeal nerve), immune (thymus) and digestive (esophagus) systems.

What is CT thorax with contrast?

During a CT scan of the chest pictures are taken of cross sections or slices of the thoracic structures in your body. The thoracic structures include your lungs, heart and the bones around these areas. When contrast is used during a CT scan of the chest thoracic structures are highlighted even more.