Why are CAT scans better than X-rays?

Question

What kind of advantage do CAT scans have over X-ray machines?

Answer 1

An x-ray reveals solid masses within the liquidity of your body. A CAT scan is more of a three dimentional snapshot of each segment of your body - much more revealing.
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Answer 2

CAT scans are a lot of pictures all put together--you see the whole rather than a kinda 2-D picture from an X-ray. But X-rays are cheaper and faster. CAT scans show more detail and can show stuff that X-rays don't really catch, like showing details when an X-ray just shows a "shadow."

Answer 3

In a simple X-Ray, the image is created because your tissues and bones differentially block the transmission of the X-Rays and this is captured on the film, in two dimensions. It is able to show differences based on alterations in radiolucence. Bones show up as white because they block more of the X-Rays. Unfortunately any tissue that is in the "stack" is overlaid as part of the image in the X-Ray.

CT scans also use X-Rays but they do it in a different way. They are "computed tomography" scans. A narrow X-Ray beam is passed through the body while moving around it, with the intensity of transmission captured by a detector on the other side creating a 10 mm slice of each transmission. The images are created by a computer recreating the images based on the changes in signal of the X-Rays as they course through the body. The most important feature is that spatial resolution is not lost. You do not get a "pancake" image of everything superimposed on everything else. CT scanners are best at discriminating between tissues or substances of similar radiolucency, for instance fluid and a soft tissue of the same density can be distinguished, whereas in conventional X-Rays they cannot. The downside of CT scans is that you are exposed to much higher levels of X-Rays than you are in a plain X-Ray.

Answer 4

CAT scans take pictures by slices, or that is how I understand it. They can tell more with CAT scans then regular x-rays. I also hope it is, since they are more expensive, I know, I had a few the last month or so! :) Take care!

Answer 5

CAT scans can show more detail inside the body than an X-Ray.

Answer 6

CAT scans will show organs, X-rays only show bones, so they're used for two different things. Which is best depends on what the doctor is looking for.

Answer 7

CAT scans are 3 dimensional x-rays are not. x-rays are 2 dimensional you get a better view of the body.

Answer 8

X-Ray's view your bones a lot easier and Cat Scans take a more in-depth look at your softer tissues.

Answer 9

CAT scans are3-d...while x-ras are just 2-d.

Answer 10

In the hospital to treat doctors.