CT Scans: Research

Research teams in CT imaging typically include radiologists, physicists, image scientists, computer programmers, engineers, and technicians. Frequently teams work in collaboration with the manufacturers of the CT systems. Preliminary work is commonly performed on inanimate test objects called phantoms and only then does the team performs studies on live patients. Once the results are established, the research team shares its findings in scientific meetings and journal articles.

A 3-dimensional (3-D) image of blood vessels within the brain. The large round object is an aneurysm, a ballooning of a blood vessel. The soft-tissue brain matter is not shown in this image. (image courtesy of the Mayo Clinic)

A 3-dimensional (3-D) image of blood vessels within the brain. The large round object is an aneurysm, a ballooning of a blood vessel. The soft-tissue brain matter is not shown in this image. (image courtesy of the Mayo Clinic)

These rapid advances in technology are enabling dozens on new clinical applications, including:

  • CT imaging of the heart and coronary arteries to screen for signs of early heart disease
  • Emergency room CT scanning procedures to quickly image the entire body of trauma patients.
  • Blood flow imaging in the brain to diagnose stroke
  • 3-D and virtual-reality imaging of the interior of the colon and lung
  • Sophisticated 3-D volume rendering of the bones and soft-tissue organs

The 3-D images mentioned above are produced by computer processing that shows human anatomy in a remarkable new way, by stacking together many cross-sectional images.

Medical Physics

The application of physics to medical imaging is a part of the field of medical physics. Medical physicists work closely with medical doctors and are found in universities, medical schools, and medical research institutes, as well as community hospitals and clinics. They often specialize in one of three main areas:

  • Medical imaging (including MRI , nuclear medicine and ultrasound imaging as well as x-ray and CT)
  • Radiation oncology (treatment of cancer with various kinds of radiation)
  • Medical Health Physics (protection of workers and patients from radiation - both ionizing radiation, like x-rays, and non-ionizing radiation, like lasers and magnetic fields)

Typical Professional Training for Medical Physics:

  • B.S. in physics or closely-related field
  • M.S. or Ph.D. in Medical Physics
  • One or two years of clinical or hospital training

The Physics Central team wishes to express special thanks to Cynthia McCollough of the Mayo Clinic for her help in preparing this feature. More information regarding medical physicists may be found at the American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

This is a 3-dimensional image of a CT scan of a human chest. Computer processing has removed the front and back of the ribs to reveal bony anatomy (ribs and spine, in white) as well as soft tissue (in red) and blood vessels of the lung (yellow). The carrot-shaped feature is the aorta, the large artery that carries blood from the heart to the body. (image courtesy of the Mayo Clinic)

This is a 3-dimensional image of a CT scan of a human chest. Computer processing has removed the front and back of the ribs to reveal bony anatomy (ribs and spine, in white) as well as soft tissue (in red) and blood vessels of the lung (yellow). The carrot-shaped feature is the aorta, the large artery that carries blood from the heart to the body. (image courtesy of the Mayo Clinic)