Although CT scans are associated with science and technology, their origins may surprise you. The pioneering technology has a fascinating connection to rock and roll, specifically the phenomenal success of The Beatles in the 1960s.
Rumor has it that Electric and Music Industries (EMI), which owned Abbey Road Studios and catapulted the band to stardom, channeled the enormous profits from The Beatles’ albums in the 1960s into funding pioneering research. At their peak, The Beatles’ record and ticket sales earned approximately $650 a second in today’s money.
But EMI was more than just a record label; they had a significant presence in the electrical industry. In 1959, they launched the EMIDEC 1100, a commercial computer that marked their foray into technology. They also invested in medical equipment research, which eventually led to a groundbreaking innovation.
Godfrey Hounsfield, a key figure in the EMIDEC project, began developing the first medical scanner. With substantial support from the UK government (£600,000, equivalent to £7 million today), Hounsfield and his team spent four years inventing and building the first computed tomography scanner.
A CT scan, or computed tomography scan, is a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses X-rays to create detailed images of the inside of the body. CT scans are more detailed than standard X-rays and can be used to diagnose a variety of conditions, including:
Tumors: Can be used to detect tumors in the brain, neck, chest, abdomen, and other areas
Bone fractures: Can be used to detect complex bone fractures, eroded joints, and other bone injuries
Blood clots: Can be used to detect blood clots in the lungs, heart, and other areas
Heart disease: Can be used to detect signs of heart disease
Internal bleeding: Can be used to investigate internal bleeding
Here are some other things to know about CT scans:
Procedure
During a CT scan, you lie on a table that slides into the scanner, and the X-ray beam rotates around you. The scan usually takes only a few minutes.
Dye
A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the tissues and organs show up more clearly. Some people are allergic to the contrast materials, so you should tell your doctor about any allergies you have.
Results
It usually takes between 1 and 2 weeks to get your CT scan results. A radiologist will write to the doctor who referred you for the scan.
Types of CT scans
There are many different types of CT scans, including abdominal, cranial, cervical, thoracic, lumbosacral spine, orbit, and chest.
There are some other types of CT scans, including:
CT scan of the chest: Uses special equipment to create cross-sectional images of the chest. This scan can help identify lung cancer, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and excess fluid in the lungs.
CT scan of the head: Provides detailed information about brain tumors, head injuries, and other brain diseases.
CT scan of the spine: Uses a scanner to create multiple images of the spinal column.
Cardiac CT: Focuses on the heart and can help identify problems with the aorta, heart valves, and other arteries.
Virtual colonoscopy: Creates detailed, 3D images of the colon from a CT scanning bed.
Positron emission tomography (PET): Involves injecting a contrast agent into the body to highlight abnormal regions.
Electron Beam Tomography (EBT): Uses stationary X-ray tubes and an electron-beam focal point to create detailed images of the heart.
CT scans, also known as CAT scans, are diagnostic imaging procedures that use ionizing radiation to produce three-dimensional images of the inside of the body. The type of CT scan a doctor orders depends on the area of the body being evaluated.
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