National Institute of

Biomedical Imaging Computed Tomography

and Bioengineering MARCH 2022

What is a computed tomography (CT) scan?

The term “computed tomography”, or CT, refers to a computerized x-ray imaging procedure in which a narrow beam
of x-rays is aimed at a patient and quickly rotated around the body, producing signals that are processed by the
machine’s computer to generate cross- sectional images—or “slices”—of the body. These slices are called
tomographic images and contain more detailed information than conventional x-rays. Once a number of successive
slices are collected by the machine’s computer, they can be digitally “stacked” together to form a three-dimensional
image of the patient that allows for easier identification and location of basic structures as well as possible tumors or
abnormalities.

How does CT work?

Unlike a conventional x-ray—which uses a fixed x-ray tube—a CT scanner uses a
motorized x-ray source that rotates around the circular opening of a donut-shaped
structure called a gantry. During a CT scan, the patient lies on a bed that slowly
moves through the gantry while the x-ray tube rotates around the patient, shooting
narrow beams of x-rays through the body. Instead of film, CT scanners use special
digital x-ray detectors, which are located directly opposite the x-ray source. As the
x-rays leave the patient, they are picked up by the detectors and transmitted to a
computer.
Each time the x-ray source completes one full rotation, the CT computer uses
sophisticated mathematical techniques to construct a 2D image slice of the patient. The thickness of the tissue
represented in each image slice can vary depending on the CT machine used, but usually ranges from 1-10
millimeters. When a full slice is completed, the image is stored and the motorized bed is moved forward incrementally
into the gantry. The x-ray scanning process is then repeated to produce another image slice. This process continues
until the desired number of slices is collected.
Image slices can either be displayed individually or stacked together by the computer to generate a 3D image of the
patient that shows the skeleton, organs, and tissues as well as any abnormalities the physician is trying to identify.
This method has many advantages including the ability to rotate the 3D image in space or to view slices in succession,
making it easier to find the exact place where a problem may be located.

What is a CT contrast agent?

As with all x-rays, dense structures within the body—such as bone—are easily
imaged, whereas soft tissues vary in their ability to stop x-rays and, thus, may be
faint or difficult to visualize. For this reason, contrast agents have been developed
that are highly visible in an x-ray or CT scan and are safe to use in patients.
Contrast agents contain substances that are better at stopping x-rays and, thus,
are more visible on an x-ray image. For example, to examine the circulatory
system, a contrast agent based on iodine is injected into the bloodstream to help
illuminate blood vessels. This type of test is used to look for possible obstructions
in blood vessels, including those in the heart. Other contrast agents, such as barium-based compounds, are used for
imaging the digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach, and GI tract.

When would I get a CT scan?

CT scans can be used to identify disease or injury within various regions of the body. For example, CT has become a
useful screening tool for detecting possible tumors or lesions within the abdomen. A CT scan of the heart may be

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ordered when various types of heart disease or abnormalities are suspected. CT can also be used to image the head in
order to locate injuries, tumors, clots leading to stroke, hemorrhage, and other conditions. It can image the lungs in
order to reveal the presence of tumors, pulmonary embolisms (blood clots), excess fluid, and other conditions such as
emphysema or pneumonia. A CT scan is particularly useful when imaging bone fractures, joints, cartilage, or tendons
since it usually produces more detail than would be possible with a conventional x-ray.

Are there risks?

All x-rays produce ionizing radiation, which has the potential to cause biological effects in the human body. For
patients, these biological effects can range from an increased lifetime risk of cancer to possible allergic reactions or
kidney failure due to contrast agents. Under some rare circumstances of prolonged, high-dose exposure, x-rays can
cause adverse health effects such as skin reddening, skin tissue injury, hair loss, cataracts, or birth defects (if scanning
conducted during pregnancy). [1,2]
For conventional x-rays, the amount of radiation delivered to a patient is extremely small. However, for a CT exam,
such as a study of the abdomen, the radiation delivered to the patient can be equivalent to as many as 400 chest x-
rays. Similarly, a CT exam of the head can produce the equivalent of about 100 chest x-rays.[3] For this reason, it’s
important that CT exams are limited only to those cases where the benefit to be gained greatly outweighs the
increased risk. This is especially true for children, who are more sensitive to ionizing radiation and have a longer life
expectancy and, thus, have a higher relative risk for developing cancer than adults. [1,2] Also, a child’s smaller size
affects the amount of radiation dose received. For this reason, when scanning children, equipment settings need to
be adjusted to reduce the radiation dose while maintaining high image quality.

What are examples of NIBIB-funded projects using computed tomography?

Dedicated Breast CT Scanner: NIBIB is funding research for the development of a
dedicated breast CT scanner that allows the breast to be imaged in 3D and could help
radiologists detect hard-to-find tumors. The scanner produces a radiation dose
comparable to that of a standard x-ray mammogram and doesn’t require compression of
the breast. In this breast CT scanner, a woman lies prone in a specially designed large
table with her breast suspended in an opening in the scanning bed. The scanner rotates
only around the breast without passing x-rays through the chest, thus reducing the
Dedicated breast CT scanner radiation that would be delivered to the chest in a conventional CT scanner.
Source: Source: John Boone,
Ph.D., UC Davis Reduction in Radiation from Routine CT Scans: NIBIB has put out a call for
researchers to submit groundbreaking ideas that will help to radically decrease the
amount of radiation used in CT scans. This new funding opportunity [PAR-12-206] is intended to inspire innovation
and creativity and allow researchers to try new approaches that might not be funded otherwise. The funding
opportunity calls for new research in CT scanner technology and CT image reconstruction methods and/or algorithm
developments and improvements that could realistically reduce patient radiation exposure, while maintaining high
image quality.
References
1) FDA-Radiation Emitting Products- Computed Tomography (CT), fda.gov, updated 1/24/2012
2) FDA Public Health Notification: Reducing Radiation Risk from Computed Tomography for Pediatric and Small Adult
Patients, FDA.gov, November 2, 2001
3) FDA-Radiation Emitting Products-What are the Radiation Risks from CT?, fda.gov, updated 08/06/2009

NIBIB Contacts
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering Phone: 301-496-8859
6707 Democracy Blvd., Suite 200 [email protected]
Bethesda, MD 20892 www.nibib.nih.gov

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