X-ray computed tomography, including conventional, helical and electron-beam forms, provides cross-sectional images of the chest, including the heart and great vessels. In general, cardiac tomography (also called CT scan and coronary artery scanning) is useful to evaluate aortic disease (such as aortic dissection), cardiac masses and pericardial disease.
The benefits of CT include:
- clinically relevant anatomic and functional information
- relatively noninvasive
- very low short- and long-term risks (if the well-known potential hazards are avoided)
Computerized axial tomographic scan is also used to examine how the brain looks, functions and gets its blood supply. This test can outline the affected part of the brain and help define the problem a stroke creates.