Case Studies

Chest CT provides incredibly clear, detailed images of the chest wall, ribs, muscles lungs and heart. Chest X-rays are a good basic method of imaging the chest but the problem with chest x-rays is that overlapping shadows can cause difficulties with interpretation. See normal chest x ray. CT images do not have this problem. They can be manipulated to give slices through the chest in different planes.

 

Case studies:

 

 

Normal Chest

CT of the chest showing normal heart and lungs. These can be displayed to look at either the heart and central chest (mediastinum) or the lungs.

See images of normal chest

Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is usually a long term complication of cigarette smoking. It is a common cause of cancer deaths in this country.

Symptoms: are variable but cough, chest pain, breathlessness and coughing up blood are all common symptoms which are of concern and may indicate lung cancer - but it must be stressed these are non specific symptoms which can occur in other chest conditions as well. A chest X-ray is often one of the first investigations if lung problems are suspected. A CT scan gives a much more detailed view of the internal anatomy any possible lung tumours.

CT Lung Cancer: There is a right sided lung tumour.

CT Abdomen & Pelvis

CT is the imaging investigation of choice to look for many conditions affecting the internal organs in the abdomen and pelvis. The liver, kidneys, spleen, pancreas, adrenal glands, bladder and much of the bowel are well visualised. In addition it is often possible to exclude abnormalities of the abdominal wall, bones and muscles.

Normal Abdomen.

Normal abdominal scan - showing the appearance of the internal abdominal organs. It is possible to take slices through the abdomen in different 'planes' or sections. This is a computer technique to display the data in different ways. This can help in the interpretation of the scan.

See scans.

Aortic Aneurysm

This is a condition which affects the main artery passing from the heart to supply all the abdominal organs and the legs with oxygenated blood. An aneurysm is enlargement or dilatation of an artery, and although it can occur at many different locations it commonly occurs in the abdominal aorta. The main risk factor is a history of smoking. The diagnosis is made either with an ultrasound scan or a CT scan. The importance of the condition is due to the chance of sudden rupture seen particularly with large aneurysms.

Symptoms: Often no symptoms are present. Pulsation or lump in the upper abdomen.

CT: Shows a large abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Kidney/Renal Cancer(Renal cell carcinoma)

Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of cancer to affect the kidney. It is more common in the middle aged and elderly population.

Symptoms: Many kidney tumours go undetected due to the lack of symptoms or until they have grown quite large. Possible symptoms include pain in the flank, blood in the urine or a palpable lump detected on physical examination.

Quite often renal tumours are picked up as an unexpected finding during a scan for other symptoms.

Renal cancer can be cured by surgically removing the kidney, providing it has not spread elsewhere for instance to the lymph glands, lungs or bones.

CT: There is an irregular tumour arising in the left kidney.

Liver Cirrhosis & Liver cancer(Hepatocellular carcinoma)

Liver cirrhosis is usually a long term complication of heavy alcohol consumption or a complication of viral hepatitis (Hepatitis B or C). The diagnosis is usually made by a physician using a combination of physical examination, blood tests and often a liver biopsy.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a malignant liver tumour which can occur in patients with cirrhosis.

Symptoms: The symptoms from cirrhosis include lethargy, abdominal swelling, itching and jaundice. Hepatocellular carcinoma is not usually symptomatic until large or unless it has spread. It can be diagnosed by a blood test or scan.

CT: Shows a 'bright' tumour within the liver.

Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a malignant tumour of the lymphoid tissue, part of the immune system. This comprises various organs including the lymph glands, lymphatic channels, the liver and spleen. Although several types of cancer can spread to the lymph glands, lymphoma arises primarily at this site.

Symptoms:These are often non specific and may include tiredness, weight loss, pain from the area affected, a palpable lump or swelling or enlarged lymph glands.

CT: Multiple bulky enlarged lymph glands in the central abdomen.

Colon Cancer

This is a common cancer in the western world. It usually starts as a small polyp in the bowel wall and grows slowly over a number of years. It can spread to other organs like the liver.

Symptoms: Abdominal pain, bloating and sometimes blood in the motions. Change in bowel habit with diarrhoea or constipation.

CT: Shows spread of the colon cancer to the liver.

Ovarian Cancer

Symptoms: Ovarian cancer often has only a few symptoms, which can be vague and non specific. These can include a palpable lump in the abdomen or pelvis, or distension of the abdomen. The diagnosis is made using a combination of physical examination, a blood test and usually a CT scan or sometimes ultrasound or an MRI scan.

CT: Shows a large lump arising in the ovary and extending into the abdomen and pelvis.