Computed Tomography - CT
This Editorial Guide is used for Education Purposes Only. It is used in the Authoring Courses and Certifications. It is based on the January 2026 Editorial Guide.
Exception for abbreviation
CT is an exception to the rule that all abbreviations should have their expanded form in parentheses in descriptions.
Axial & Scan
Legacy issues: Existing computerized tomography concepts will be renamed consistently when the Quality Initiative undertakes improvement of the procedure hierarchy.
Axial
Requests for new descriptions with _computerized axial tomography (_CAT) are not acceptable. The axial part of the phrase is no longer accurate, because there are other techniques that also create images on multiple planes or axes.
Scan
Computed tomography descriptions do not routinely include computed tomography scan of X.
The word scan is not systematically added in new descriptions and should not be included in preferred terms. However, specific requests to add descriptions with the word scan are not denied.
Computerized axial tomography scan of X is considered obsolete and should not be added as a new description.
Computed tomography
FSN: Computed tomography of X (procedure)
PT: CT of X
SYN: Computed tomography of X
For example,
241566009 | Computed tomography of elbow (procedure)|
FSN: Computed tomography of elbow (procedure)
PT: CT of elbow
SYN: Computed tomography of elbow
With Contrast
CT angiography uses contrast in all cases of the procedure; this must be stipulated in the descriptions.
Computed tomography angiography with contrast
This naming pattern is used when an anatomical location is specified, but the blood vessel is not explicit.
FSN: Computed tomography angiography of X with contrast (procedure)
PT: CT angiography of X with contrast
SYN: Computed tomography angiography of X with contrast
For example,
582101000119108 |Computed tomography angiography of head with contrast (procedure)|
FSN: Computed tomography angiography of head with contrast (procedure)
PT: CT angiography of head with contrast
SYN: Computed tomography angiography of head with contrast
Computed tomography arteriography with contrast
FSN: Computed tomography angiography of [artery] with contrast (procedure)
PT: CT angiography of [artery] with contrast
SYN: CT arteriography of [body structure] with contrast
SYN: Computed tomography arteriography of [body structure] with contrast
SYN: CT arteriogram of [body structure] with contrast
For example,
726077005 Computed tomography angiography of bronchial artery with contrast (procedure)
FSN: Computed tomography angiography of bronchial artery with contrast (procedure)
PT: CT angiography of bronchial artery with contrast
SYN: CT arteriography of bronchial artery with contrast
SYN: Computed tomography arteriography of bronchial artery with contrast
Computed tomography venography with contrast
FSN: Computed tomography venography of X with contrast (procedure)
PT: CT venography of X with contrast
SYN: CT venogram of X with contrast
SYN: Computed tomography venography of X with contrast
For example,
432842007 |Computed tomography venography of intracranial vein with contrast (procedure)|
FSN: Computed tomography venography of intracranial vein with contrast (procedure)
PT: CT venography of intracranial vein with contrast
SYN: Computed tomography venography of intracranial vein with contrast
Venography
Venography may simply be a timing phase of angiography. It is agreed that venography may be a useful term in an FSN, i.e. there may be a meaningful technique difference between simple angiography and purposeful venography.
Computed tomography arthrography
FSN: Computed tomography arthrography of X (procedure)
PT: CT arthrography of X
SYN: CT arthrogram of X
SYN: Computed tomography arthrography of X
For example,
418940000 | Computed tomography arthrography of intratarsal joint (procedure)|
FSN: Computed tomography arthrography of intratarsal joint (procedure)
PT: CT arthrogram of intratarsal joint
SYN: CT arthrography of intratarsal joint
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