The scanned portions of the body in different angles are being fed into a computer, and by the use of a software program, the said scanned portions give a series of cross sections and slices. A detailed picture of the body part can be viewed in this manner.

A CT scan can be used to study the different parts of the body, such as the chest, abdomen, pelvis, arm or leg. It can take pictures of body organs, such as the heart, lungs, liver, pancreas, intestines, kidneys, and adrenal glands. It can study bones, blood vessels, and the spinal cord. Fluoroscopy which is an examination of the tissues and deep structures of the body by x-ray may also be done through a CT scan.

An iodine dye is used to make contrasting results of scanned portion. By using it, the area which has a tumor can be easily identified because the dye is being absorbed by the tumor itself and thus, enhances its CT picture. Also the structures and organs are easier to see on the CT pictures by using a dye during scanning. The dye may also be used to check blood flow, and look for other problems. Dye can be inserted intravenously in the arm, or may be ingested in some tests, or may be placed into other parts of the body (such as the rectum or a joint), to view those areas better. CT scan pictures may be taken before and after the dye is used.

• Spiral (helical) CT scanners and multi-slice CT scanners are special scanners used for many conditions such as finding kidney stones, a pulmonary embolism – obstruction or occlusion of a vessel by a mass of bacteria, or other foreign body, an enlarged prostate gland, or atherosclerosis – characterized by irregularly distributed lipid deposits in the intima of large and medium-sized arteries, causing narrowing of arterial lumens and proceeding eventually to fibrosis and calcification; lesions are usually focal and progress slowly and intermittently. These special CT scanners can take enhanced pictures of blood vessels and organs so other imaging tests are no longer necessary, and can test in lesser time. The multi-slice CT scanner is nearly as fast as electron beam CT scanner and is widely available.

• Electron beam CT scan is another type of CT scan that is being used to find atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD). It scans faster than a standard CT scan and takes an improved picture of a coronary artery while the heart is beating. It is not widely available. • CT angiogram is another type of CT scan, which shows two and three dimensional pictures of blood vessels better than a standard CT scan. • Cardiac calcium scoring is another type of CT scan that is used to test a person’s risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). It is not widely available and often not covered by many insurance plans.

Experts are not agreeable with the idea of using a whole body scanning to screen for coronary artery disease and cancers. Whole body scanning is expensive and can lead to unnecessary tests or surgery. It may also increase the chance of cancer from the radiation exposure. Many doctors do not recommend these studies unless a person has a specific area for a specific disease.