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CAT scan

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Medical, Legal, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.01 sec.
CAT scan (kăt) [computerized axial tomography], X-ray X ray, invisible, highly penetrating electromagnetic radiation of much shorter wavelength (higher frequency) than visible light. The wavelength range for X rays is from about 10−8 m to about 10−11
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 technique that allows relatively safe, painless, and rapid diagnosis in previously inaccessible areas of the body; also called CT scan. An X-ray tube, rotating around a specific area of the body, delivers an appropriate amount of X radiation for the tissue being studied and takes pictures of that part of the internal anatomy from different angles. More recent scanners have a stationary X-ray tube and use deflecting coils and special reflectors to position the X-ray beam. A computer program is then used to form a composite, readable image. CAT scanning has revolutionized medicine, especially neurology, by facilitating the diagnosis of brain and spinal cord disorders, cancer cancer, in medicine, common term for neoplasms, or tumors, that are malignant. Like benign tumors, malignant tumors do not respond to body mechanisms that limit cell growth.
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, and other conditions. Ultrafast CT, or electron beam CT, is able to take pictures in a tenth of a second. It is useful in creating images of moving parts, such as the heart, without blurring.
CAT scan
(Computer Axial Tomography) A series of X-rays that show the human body in slices. The X-ray mechanism, which surrounds the body, "inches" its way along the area being examined, taking multiple tomograms (slices). The computer is used to turn the tomograms into pictures. See tomography.
CAT scan [′kat ‚skan]
(medicine)
An image of a sectional view of a portion of the body made by computerized tomography.


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But the inquest into Mr Williams' death heard yesterday how Russell's Hall staff failed to follow guidelines on head injuries - including carrying out a CAT scan.
MRI and CAT scans and heart tests have proved inconclusive so far.
MRI and CAT scans and heart tests have proved inconclusive so far.
 
 
 
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