Diagnostic Imaging Services
CT or CAT Scan (Computed Tomography)
Advanced CT scanning technology is available at St. John’s, which allows for increased speed and image resolution. Our doctors can see small vessels and other fine anatomical details that could not be seen before without surgery. CT scan produces cross-sectional images of selected body parts, giving physicians an unobstructed look at organs and bones not seen clearly on conventional X-rays.
More complex than the traditional X-ray exam, which uses a stationary machine to focus on a particular body part, CT scans use an X-ray generating device that rotates around the body, creating multiple images. The images are sent to a very powerful computer to create cross-sectional images, like slices, of the inside of the patient’s body.
Physicians commonly request CT scans to help diagnose muscle and bone disorders, such as soft tissue injuries and fractures; pinpoint the location of tumors, infections or blood clots; guide procedures’ detect internal injuries and internal bleeding; and detect and monitor diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
Cardiac CT
Heart and vascular patients commonly undergo a Cardiac CT to evaluate the presence of calcified plaque and soft plaque in the coronary arteries. A cardiac CT is a non-invasice way of gathering information about the amount of calcium, often represented in a calcium score.
Cardiac CT scans are recommended for patients at risk for coronary artery disease (CAD) as a screening study for uncertain diagnoses. When symptoms are present, cardiac CT can be helpful in determining the severity of CAD.
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