"CT" scan, or sometimes called "CAT" scan, stands for Computerized Tomography, a valuable, painless, diagnostic test that allows radiologists (doctors who specialize in the use of imaging for diagnosing diseases) to see inside some areas of the body which cannot be seen using conventional x-rays. This imaging method produces a series of pictures that are then reconstructed by a computer into cross-sectional views. This technology has advanced so markedly over the past few years that it has greatly altered treatment courses. Since physicians can now see parts of the body they were never able to see before, they can detect many conditions in earlier stages, greatly optimizing patient outcomes.