CAT (Computerized Axial Tomography) Scan uses x-rays to make images of your body in a cross sectional way. A CAT image typically is thought of as a slice and allows the radiologist to look inside the body. CAT scans shows healthy and diseased tissues inside the head, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis and extremities.

You will lie on a skinny table called the gantry and be slid inside the CAT scanner which looks like a large ring. While you remain still, the x-ray emitter and detectors are spun around you gathering the information used by the computer to make the slice images. The images are then printed on a sheet of film and the radiologist reviews them.

WCA Offers State-of-the-Art CAT Scanner

The addition of the GE Lightspeed CAT Scanner to WCA's Radiology Department not only provides leading-edge technology, which means clearer and faster images, but also improves safety and comfort for the patient.

This state-of-the-art equipment cuts the table time for patients from one hour to approximately fifteen minutes. "The shorter scan times reduce patient anxiety, especially with young children," stated Dr. Thomas L. Greer, Radiologist.

The new "Lightspeed" scanner can make four cuts (views) simultaneously, provide 3 Dimensional images and is more accurate. According to Gene Graham, Technical Director of Radiology, "The improved capabilities of this equipment enables us to handle emergency and trauma cases, keep an aggressive outpatient schedule, while maintaining prompt service."