About Computed Tomography (CT) Scan
A CT exam is produced by using an X-ray beam that passes through the body to produce multiple slices of images. The CT scan X-ray beam spins on a ring in the round part of the scanner called the gantry. The patient lies on a table that moves in and out of the gantry while the table passes you through the spinning X-ray beam.
A single slice or a non-multi-slice CT scanner takes only one slice or image as the X-ray beam makes a complete rotation around the patient. A multislice CT scan is a CT scanner that is able to take more than one image or slice at a time. This reduces the time it takes to create the images, reduces the radiation dose the patient is exposed to, and allows more thin slices to be obtained. The more detectors a CT scanner has, the more slices per rotation it is able to acquire.
The images are obtained quickly. The central ring is shorter than other imaging devices. This is beneficial for patients that suffer from claustrophobia.
