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What is a CAT Scan?
A
CAT scan is a computerized axial tomographic
scan. A CAT scan uses special X-ray equipment
to produce an image that is a cross section
or a slice of your body. When you are looking
at or “reading” a CAT scan film,
think of the patient like a loaf of bread
and the image like one slice from that loaf.
CAT scans can be used tp help diagnose
a variety of medical conditions, including
cancer, vascular disease, and cirrhosis.
Depending on a patient's symptoms, the CAT
scan may be performed on different areas
of the body.
CAT
Scan Overview
This link offers a good overview of CAT
scans, including information on how this
scan is done. Pay special attention to the images presented
by this link. The CAT scan image of the
abdomen offers a great comparison of a traditional
X-ray and a CAT scan. It also shows what a liver
tumor looks like on a scan. Finally, the CAT scan slices will help you
understand the perspective of the CAT scan
itself.
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What does it mean to have an abnormal liver CAT scan?
An
abnormal liver CAT scan result means when the doctor reviews ths scan s/he see something about the liver that is different from normal anatomy.
Images: To see a comparison of a CAT Scan showing a healthy liver and one showing a diseased (in this case, cirrhotic) liver, click on the links below. Note: both links look at the same scans, but the annotated link is marked to help you indentify the anatomy.
CAT Scan Film Comparison
Annotated CAT Scan Film Comparison
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Possible causes/diagnosis:
An abnormal liver CAT Scan results from a liver disease like liver cancer or cirrhosis.
CAT Scans done on other parts of the body may be read as abnormal for many different reasons. Click here for a more complete list of the possible causes of an abnormal CAT scan. Note that you can click on a cause listed here to get more information.
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