CT Chest

CT scan of thorax for lung and chest evaluation.

A CT (computed tomography) scan uses a rotating X-ray beam and advanced computer processing to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body. CT scans are exceptionally fast — most studies complete in under 10 minutes — and provide excellent visualization of bones, blood vessels, and dense tissues. Modern multi-detector CT scanners can acquire hundreds of image slices in a single breath hold, enabling high-resolution 3D reconstructions. CT is the imaging modality of choice for coronary artery calcium scoring (a powerful predictor of cardiovascular risk), lung cancer screening (low-dose CT), and rapid evaluation of acute conditions. While CT does use ionizing radiation, modern protocols have dramatically reduced doses, and the diagnostic value typically far outweighs the minimal radiation risk for indicated studies.