CT

Question 1

What is CT?

Answer 1

• computed tomography
• a technique using radiographic technology to produce 2D slice images

Question 2

Pros

Answer 2

• fast
• relatively cheap (cf MRI)
• can be combined with IV iodinated contrast to highlight vascular and vascularised structures
• very good for imaging structures with high radiodensity (i.e. bones)

Question 3

Cons

Answer 3

• utilises ionising radiation
• much more expensive than conventional radiography
• much less useful for soft tissues of the CNS than MRI with poor discrimination between tissues
• as with all diagnostic imaging doesn’t provide a definitive histological diagnosis
• requires experience for good image interpretation