CT Specialists

Medical Imaging Center of Southern California Our Services CT

Medical Imaging Center of Southern California

Radiology and Medical Imaging located in Santa Monica & Beverly Hills

CT Q & A

What is CT?

Computed tomography is a noninvasive imaging technique that uses powerful computers to create three-dimensional and cross-sectional pictures of your body. CT scans are rapid, which means you will be on and off the scanner in a matter of minutes. CT scans provide anatomical details, such as the size and location of tumors, masses, infections, and injuries. 

CT scanners utilize X-rays and detectors to produce accurate images of your body’s internal structures.

The procedure is painless, but certain studies may require that the technologist injects a small amount of contrast agent into your arm (IV contrast) to highlight special areas and visualize abnormalities. You may also be asked to drink barium contrast (oral contrast) to enhance your intestinal tract.

 

What specific CT studies are offered?

Medical Imaging Center of Southern California provides a full spectrum of CT studies, including:

This scan detects high-risk abnormalities and hidden diseases including lung cancer, kidney tumors, liver tumors, and abnormalities of the prostate, ovaries, uterus, adrenal gland, spleen, and gallbladder. Abnormalities in the back, including disc disease and abnormalities in the bones, can also be detected.

This low radiation, two-minute scan detects early cancers and is an excellent screening tool for smokers, family members of smokers, or anyone with a family history of lung cancer.

A CT of your abdomen, with special contrast techniques to image your urinary ureter tracts (kidneys and bladder).

A CT scan of your mandible or maxilla creates accurate images allowing for the accurate placement of dental implants in the oral cavity using 2D and 3D techniques.

Measures the amount of calcium in your coronary artery walls and provides a numeric score that evaluates the risk of heart disease relative to your age, family history, and gender.

The noninvasive CT coronary angiogram visualizes the arterial channel or lumen of the coronary artery. The 64 detector CT scanner creates images of your coronary arteries allowing our radiologists to detect unstable and life-threatening soft plaque that projects into your lumen and creates narrowing in your arterial channels.

In the asymptomatic patient, it is unstable soft plaque that can rupture without warning, causing heart attacks and strokes. By detecting the soft plaque early and initiating aggressive lifestyle changes and interventional therapies, you can head off serious heart issues, and even premature death.

This scan examines the blood vessels in key areas of your body, including your brain, kidneys, pelvis, legs, lungs, heart, neck, and abdomen. The technologist uses IV contrast to enhance the images to show narrowing or blockages in the blood vessels calcification causes.

The virtual colonoscopy is a highly accurate technique used to detect polyps and cancer in the colon. It is more convenient and less invasive than conventional colonoscopy procedures which require anesthesia and the placement of a scope into the rectum and entire colon.

Virtual Colonoscopy is a highly accurate and innovative use of a CT scan that provides a three-dimensional tour of your colon to detect polyps and tumors.

 

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