CT case studies
CT · Put your knowledge to work in context.
ARRT certification and registration in Computed Tomography (CT) is a postprimary credential. ARRT describes its purpose as recognizing individuals who are qualified to perform the role of a computed tomographer. The CT case studies are 5 cases and about 3,544 words.
1Suspected Aortic Dissection in a Patient with a Prior Contrast Reaction and Reduced Renal Function
At 02:10 a 68-year-old man arrives in the emergency department with sudden tearing chest pain radiating to the back and a 22 mmHg systolic pressure difference between the arms. The emergency physician requests an emergent CT angiography of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis.
722 words, about 4 min2Coronary CT Angiography in a Patient with Tachycardia and Frequent Premature Atrial Contractions
A 54-year-old woman with a 3-week history of atypical chest pain is referred for coronary CT angiography. Her heart rate is 92 beats/min and irregular, with frequent premature atrial contractions visible on the monitor trace; blood pressure is 138/84 mmHg.
704 words, about 4 min3Pediatric Follow-up Abdominal CT: Dose Metrics and a Proposed kVp Change
A 4-year-old child weighing 16 kg is scheduled for follow-up CT of the abdomen and pelvis with IV contrast to reassess a treated neuroblastoma. The current departmental protocol for this age is fixed 120 kVp at 100 mAs, pitch 1.0, with automatic exposure control switched off.
718 words, about 4 min4Nondiagnostic Bariatric Abdominal CT: Photon Starvation, Truncation, and Arms at the Sides
A 47-year-old man weighing 178 kg (body mass index 52) is scanned for acute abdominal pain using a 64-row scanner with a 50 cm maximum field of view. He cannot raise his arms because of shoulder pain and a recent clavicle fracture, so both arms rest along his sides.
719 words, about 4 min5Suspected Appendicitis at 18 Weeks' Gestation: Consent, Dose, and Protocol Optimization
A 26-year-old woman at 18 weeks' gestation presents at 21:00 with 14 hours of right lower quadrant pain, nausea, and a temperature of 37.9 °C. White cell count is 13,500/µL and C-reactive protein is elevated.
681 words, about 3 min