View source for X-ray computed tomography

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'''X-Ray computerized tomography''' is a type of [[computed tomography]] and is defined as "tomography using x-ray transmission and a computer algorithm to reconstruct the image."<ref name="title">{{MeSH}}</ref>

==Classification==
Newer types of X-ray computerized tomography
* Spiral CT. Spiral CT, also called helical CT is "computed tomography where there is continuous X-ray exposure to the patient while being transported in a spiral or helical pattern through the beam of irradiation. This provides improved three-dimensional contrast and spatial resolution compared to conventional computed tomography, where data is obtained and computed from individual sequential exposures".<ref>{{MeSH|Tomography, Spiral Computed}}</ref> Examples include [[computed tomographic pulmonary angiography]] for detecting [[pulmonary embolism]], [[computed tomographic cardiac angiography]] for detecting [[coronary heart disease]]<ref name="pmid18691486">{{cite journal |author=Stein PD, Yaekoub AY, Matta F, Sostman HD |title=64-slice CT for diagnosis of coronary artery disease: a systematic review |journal=The American journal of medicine |volume=121 |issue=8 |pages=715–25 |year=2008 |month=August |pmid=18691486 |doi=10.1016/j.amjmed.2008.02.039 |url=http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0002-9343(08)00298-2 |issn=}}</ref>, and [[computed tomographic colonography]] (virtual colonoscopy).
* Cone CT is uses a cone or pyramid-shaped beam of radiation.<ref>{{MeSH|Cone-Beam Computed Tomography}}</ref>

==Adverse effects==
The risk associated with a CT scan (the increased risk of cancer associated with the radiation doses) is extremely low for any one person. However, given the increasing number of CT scans being obtained, the increasing exposure to radiation in the population may be a public health issue in the future. <ref name="pmid18046031">{{cite journal |author=Brenner DJ, Hall EJ |title=Computed tomography--an increasing source of radiation exposure |journal=N Engl J Med |volume=357 |pages=2277–84 |year=2007 |pmid=18046031 |doi=10.1056/NEJMra072149}}</ref>

==References==
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