For the past 25 years, computed tomography (CT) has been invaluable in the diagnosis, treatment, and long term follow-up of a host of diseases. CT scanners consist of a horizontal patient table that passes easily through a doughnut-like opening in a vertical, plate-like gantry. The gantry houses a rotating ring, on one side of which is a specialized X-ray tube, and on the other side is an array of electronic X-ray detectors. As the patient passes through the plane of the rotating X-ray tube-detector ring, the scanner measures the amount of the original X-ray beam passing through the body at a particular point. When enough data points are obtained, the high speed computer linked to the CT scanner generates final images. These images represent multiple, adjacent thin slices of the area of interest (e.g., brain, chest, or abdomen). Since each section may be less than one millimeter to at most five millimeters in thickness, each organ or structure within that particular section can be examined in great detail, free from overlapping shadows from adjacent tissues. When all sections are summed up, a full examination of the body region of interest becomes possible.

The recent development of the multi-detector scanner has further advanced the capability of CT. Whereas a conventional CT scanner can only obtain a single cross-sectional image at a time, multi-detector CT scanners obtain up to 16 slices simultaneously. Rapid image data acquisition afforded by multi-slice technology allows for faster scan times, even thinner slices, and better anatomic coverage of the area of interest to you and your doctor. Also, multi-slice scanners open up whole new areas of the body, especially the large arteries and veins, for CT examination. Multi-slice CT scanners utilize approximately the same amount of X-rays to form their images as would a regular single-slice scanner. Also, there is no additional cost to the patient (or his or her insurer) for a CT examination performed on a multi-slice scanner as compared to any other CT machine.

Albany Advanced Imaging has installed a state-of-the-art 16 slice CT scanner manufactured by General Electric Medical Systems. The decision to upgrade our CT service was motivated by our desire to bring the latest and best imaging technology to the Capital Region, continuing to earn the "Advanced" in our name.

CT examinations are rapid, taking only a few seconds to a few minutes of actual scan time. This rapid information gathering allows evaluation of body parts that are normally in regular motion, such as the lungs. CT examinations are the preferred imaging procedure for many conditions involving the chest, abdomen, or pelvis, particularly inflammation, infection, or tumors. CT scans are also useful in many disorders of the brain, ears, eyes, sinuses, and spine. Many CT examinations will require injection of contrast material to highlight the blood vessels and help distinguish normal from abnormal tissues. Patients will be aware of a low, whirring sound during the scan, but otherwise feel nothing out of the ordinary.

Please notify our staff before your scan if you have any of the following conditions: previous allergic reaction to X-ray contrast, multiple allergies of any kind, asthma, diabetes, significant heart or lung disease, or impaired kidney function. Also, please let us know if you are pregnant, nursing, or think that you might be pregnant.

Some types of CT examinations require a short period of fasting prior to the test. Abdominal and pelvic CT scans involve drinking a dilute solution of radiographic contrast material a few hours before the scans are obtained, in order to fill the small intestine and colon. Please consult the Patient Preparation region of our Website to see if your examination requires any special preparation.