|  Processing ....
|
Equipment
 Computed Tomography (CT) scans are performed at Northern California Veterinary Specialists, Inc., with a General Electric helical CT scanner. The helical CT offers many advantages over traditional CT scanners, including a higher degree of lesion detection, better lesion characterization, and more rapid acquisition of images which decreases anesthesia time and allows imaging of moving intra-thoracic and intra-abdominal organs.
How it Works
Conventional radiographs are produced using x-rays that pass through the patient to form two-dimensional representations of three-dimensional structures. These images can be hard to interpret due to superimposition of multiple layers of anatomy. As a result, it is often difficult to identify abnormalities or to accurately define the extent of disease in a patient. Computed tomography (CT) scanners also use x-rays to produce diagnostic images but the images represent thin cross-sections of anatomy. When multiple consecutive images are acquired they can be used to accurately localize and characterize disease processes. The cross-sectional nature of the technique eliminates the confusion of anatomical superimposition we encounter with conventional radiographs.
Anesthesia is required for veterinary patients undergoing CT imaging. Anesthesia is required to prevent movement and to obtain the most accurate diagnostic images. The length of anesthesia time is relatively short, and patients are well monitored during the procedure using equipment that measures heart rate, blood pressure, respiration rate, and oxygen levels.
What we see
A CT scan allows veterinarians to visualize and evaluate parts of the body that are hard to evaluate with traditional radiographic imaging methods such as traditional x-rays. CT scans make it possible to diagnose certain diseases earlier and more accurately than with other imaging tools.
CT scans are usually performed with contrast agents to better define and identify abnormal areas and tissues. A CT scan is indicated for diseases of the brain, sinuses, inner ear, eye socket, intervertebral discs, bones, joints, spine, and soft tissues.
 This cat was referred to NCVS for a CT scan to evaluate the extent of a vaccine-associated fibrosarcoma before surgery. The image on the left was acquired before administration of a contrast enhancing agent. The image to the right was acquired following intravascular administration of a contrast agent. As a tumor grows, abnormal blood vessels within the tumor become “leaky”. The contrast agent flows through the blood stream and leaks into the tumor tissues upon reaching the mass. Thus, the boundaries of the tumor become better delineated.
 This dog has a lung tumor that was seen on radiographs but was brought to CT to determine if the mass wrapped around vital structures before surgery was attempted (Left). Unfortunately for this dog, we found an additional pulmonary nodule in the lung that was not seen on Radiographs (Right).
To schedule a CT procedure
Please make an appointment with one of the specialists in internal medicine, surgery, oncology, dermatology or radiology, depending on the needs of the patient. Our phone number is (916) 231-0696. Please bring copies of pertinent medical records and a completed Referral Form to the appointment. If your pet is having a CT scan performed, it is important that they have no food after midnight the previous evening.
Veterinarians wishing to refer a patient for a CT procedure may choose to follow-up with patient care after the CT scan or have us perform additional medical and/or surgical treatment as indicated.
|
|
|
|
