UPMC Touchstone Imaging Wexford

A CT scan, also known as a CAT scan or Computed Tomography, is a special kind of X-ray that takes pictures of a cross-section of a part of your body. CT scan images provide more detailed information than traditional X-rays are able to. CT scans are used to quickly examine people who may have internal injuries and may be used to observe internal organs and tissues of the body to diagnose disease or injury.

Ultrasound is a safe and painless procedure that is used to produce images of the inside of the body using sound waves. Ultrasound imaging, also called ultrasound scanning or sonography, involves the use of a small transducer (probe) and ultrasound gel placed directly on the skin. Ultrasounds are useful to scan internal organs, fetuses, and breast tissue.

An x-ray (radiograph) is a quick, painless medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. Radiography involves exposing a part of the body to a small dose of ionizing radiation called electromagnetic waves. The various body tissues absorb the radiation differently, creating different shades in an image to produce pictures of the inside of the body. Calcium in the bones absorbs radiation the most, so bones appear bright white while soft tissues absorb less and look gray. Air absorbs the least, so lungs and empty spaces appear black. X-rays are great for looking for broken bones or scarring in the lungs.