CT Scan

Computed tomography (CT) scans use an advanced X-ray technique to create highly detailed 3D images of your bones and soft tissues, including your muscles, heart, blood vessels, and other organs. The expert radiologists at Invision Sally Jobe produce high-quality CT scans at their offices in Littleton, Aurora, Denver, Parker, Golden, Greenwood Village, and Sky Ridge Medical Center in Lone Tree, Colorado. Physicians throughout the area rely on the team’s CT scans to diagnose conditions and determine personalized treatments. Call Invision Sally Jobe Patient Access Team at 720-493-3700 to schedule a CT scan today.

What is a CT scan?

A CT scan is an advanced and unique X-ray. Like regular X-rays, CT scans capture images of your bones. But they also use specialized technology to create exceptional three-dimensional (3D) pictures of your organs and soft tissues.

When would I need a CT scan? 

The images produced during a CT scan reveal details physicians need to accurately diagnose many health conditions, including:

• Internal injuries
• Fractures
• Head injuries
• Chronic sinusitis
• Spine disease and degeneration
• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Gastrointestinal disease
• Pneumonia or interstitial lung disease
• Colon polyps and tumors
• Brain tumors or brain injury
• Primary and metastatic cancers
• Arterial disease (clogged arteries and aneurysms)

While many physicians rely on CT scans to diagnose problems, they may also use a scan to monitor your progress as you undergo treatment for a condition.

How does a CT scan work?

The CT machine has a large, round opening, allowing a narrow X-ray beam to travel around your body and create cross-sectional images (like thin slices of your body).

You lie on a table that slowly moves through the opening. After the CT machine goes around your body and gets one slice (cross-sectional image), the table moves just enough to get an image of the tissues next to the first slice.

A specialized computer turns each slice into a 2D image. After getting enough slices to cover the targeted body area, the computer manipulates them to create 3D images.

Your Invision Sally Jobe technologist can look at the 2D and 3D images. They can rotate the 3D images to view the tissues from different angles and find hidden problems between tissues or crevices.

What is a CT scan with contrast?

Contrast dye highlights certain structures inside your body. Depending on the reason for your CT scan, you may or may not need contrast.

Can everyone have a CT scan?

CT scans are noninvasive and safe for nearly everyone. You may need medication before having a CT scan with contrast if you’re allergic to the contrast material.

Abdominal and pelvic CT scans pose a slight risk to an unborn baby. Talk with your obstetrician and radiologist at Invision Sally Jobe if you’re pregnant, and a physician recommends a CT scan.

Call Invision Sally Jobe at 720-493-3700 to schedule a CT scan today.