What can CT Scans Diagnose?

Since its introduction in the 1970s, CT scanning has become an important tool in medical imaging to supplement MRI, magnetic resonance imaging, X rays and medial ultrasound. Although CAT scans are still quite expensive, it is the gold standard in the diagnosis of a large number of different life-threatening diseases. It has recently begun to be a popular choice for preventive medicine or screening for disease, e.g. CT colonography, 'virtual' colonoscopy, for patients with a high risk of colon cancer. While medical institutions offering full-body scans for the general population are quite prevalent, this practice is controversial due to its cost, exposure to ionising radiation and the risk of finding 'incidental' abnormalities that may trigger additional / unnecessary investigations which may be invasive.