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CancerQuest > Introduction to Patient Information > Introduction to Cancer Detection and Diagnosis > Computed Tomography (CT)

Computed Tomography (CT)

History

The CT scan was first used clinically in the 1960's, but it wasn't until the late 1970's to early 1980's that medical use of CT was widespread. In 1979 two scientists, Godfrey Hounsfield and Allan Cormack, shared the Nobel Prize for their work developing the CT scanner. CT is also called Computerized Axial Tomography or CAT.⁽¹⁾

How CT works

A CT scanner uses x-rays in the same way as a conventional x-ray but instead of taking one image a CT scanner takes multiple images, or slices. A computer program gathers all the images and compiles them to create a three dimensional image of the internal structures being examined.

Below is a list of the information included in this section:

• CT Equipment
• The CT Exam
• Contrast Media for CT Exams
  
• CT Imaging Results
  

References for this page:

1. RA Robb. X-ray computed tomography: from basic principles to applications. Annual Review of Biophysics and Bioengineering. 1982;11:177-201. [PUBMED]