Drs. William Herbick, Ted Harb, and Joseph Agnesi lead the CT scans team at Cambria Somerset Radiology in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, performing CT scans for their patients in order to diagnose and treat a number of conditions. CT scans provide detailed cross-sectional images of tissues, vessels, or bones to help the physicians diagnose and treat a number of diseases.
CT Scan Q & A
What is a CT scan?
CT scans, or “computerized tomography scans,” take a series of X-ray images from various angles and then compile them in a comprehensive three-dimensional digital image series for the Cambria Somerset Radiology team to review. CT scans are highly accurate and provide more information than normal X-rays do, making them an important tool for the facility’s physicians.
CT scans are particularly useful in diagnosing internal trauma or disease and can be performed quickly and painlessly.
How do CT scans work?
CT scanners work by collecting X-ray images while rotating around the affected part of the patient’s body. The large rotating X-ray collects images from many angles, and the computer system then compiles the images to create a complete, three-dimensional image of the area. These CT scan images help the physicians view normal and abnormal tissue when treating an injury or disease.
CT scans can be used to capture everything from damaged brain tissue to fractured bones, and they are commonly used to view internal tissue and bleeding. Sometimes the team uses an iodine contrast solution to more clearly view certain areas of the body.
CT scans do emit a small amount of radiation, but the risk to patients is minimal.
What kinds of CT scans are there?
CT scanning can be used to examine the following areas of the body to diagnose and treat disease and injury:
- Head
- Chest
- Abdomen
- Spine
- Joints
- Heart (via Cardiac CT)
- Colon (via CT Colonography)
- Tissue and Organs (via PET CT scan)
- Blood Vessels (via CTA scan)
Your team at Cambria Somerset Radiology will use your CT scan results to find and treat tumors and cysts, deliver proper interventional treatment to affected areas, and understand any abnormal tissue or injuries.
How long will a CT scan take?
When you undergo a CT scan, the entire procedure should take around 30 minutes to one hour, though the scan itself will only take a few moments and is completely painless.
Before you undergo a CT scan, the team will walk you through the details of your procedure and review any concerns you may have.
If you need to complete a CT scan, schedule an appointment at Cambria Somerset Radiology today to meet with the expert team.