CT (Computerised Tomography) scanning

What is it?

CT scan (or CAT scan) stands for Computerised (Axial) Tomography scan. This means a scan that takes a series of X-rays and uses a computer to put them together. The scan is is painless. The CT machine takes pictures of your body from different angles and gives a series of cross sections or 'slices' through the part of the body being scanned. A very detailed picture of the inside of the body can be built up in this way.

Together these cross sections give a very accurate picture of where a tumour is and how big it is. They also show how close major body organs are to the area that needs to be treated or operated on.

A CT scanning machine is large and shaped rather like a doughnut. There is a couch that you lie on. The couch can slide backwards and forwards through the hole of the doughnut. The pictures are taken as you move through the machine.

Taken from Cancer Research UK - read more

At BSUH

Services are based at Brighton and Haywards Heath.

The department is open for routine cases from 9.00am to 6.00pm and 24 hours a day for emergencies.

Contact

Brighton – 01273 696955 extn. 4926/4928

Haywards Heath – 01444 441 881 extn. 5752

The Senior Radiographer/Modality Manager for CT is Helen Martin 01273 696955 extn. 7535.

The Senior/Lead Radiologist for CT is Dr Guy Burkill 01273 696955 extn. 7542.