Why would a CT scan be recommended?

As an imaging technique which can give medical professionals eyes on the inside of the body, CT scans have a variety of different uses, particularly when it comes to evaluating injuries and diagnosing diseases.

A CT scan may be recommended to:

• Check for muscle disorders
• Evaluate bone fractures and joint problems
• Diagnose infections in the body
• Diagnose conditions such as liver problems, emphysema, cancer or heart disease
• Locate tumours or abnormal masses (growths), blood clots and build-up of fluid in the body
• Assess internal structures and blood vessels, as well as internal injury and bleeding

A CT scan is also useful for:

• Monitoring the effectiveness of specific treatments which may otherwise be complex to assess (such as those for heart disease, emphysema and cancer).
• Use as a visual guide for biopsy, radiation therapy or surgical procedures