What it means
سیتی اسکن (siti-eskan) is a phonetic borrowing of the English phrase “CT scan,” which stands for Computed Tomography. Both words, CT and scan, come directly from English. The full Persian equivalent is توموگرافی کامپیوتری (tomografi-ye kâmpyuteri), but this is rarely used in conversation. Compared with امآرآی (em-âr-âi), a CT scan uses X-rays rather than magnetic fields and is often faster, making it the first choice in emergency situations such as suspected strokes or internal bleeding.
How to use it
- اورژانس گفت باید سیتی اسکن از سرم بگیرن. (urezh-âns goft bâyad siti-eskan az saram begiran.) “The emergency room said they need to do a CT scan of my head.”
- سیتی اسکن ریههاش چیز خاصی نشون نداد. (siti-eskan-e riye-hâsh chiz-e khâssi neshun nadâd.) “The CT scan of his lungs showed nothing unusual.”
- بعد از تصادف، بلافاصله سیتی اسکن گرفتن. (bad az tasâdof, belâfâsele siti-eskan gereftan.) “After the accident they immediately did a CT scan.”
- نتیجه سیتی اسکن رو به رادیولوژیست نشون دادم. (natije-ye siti-eskan ro be râdiyolozist neshun dâdam.) “I showed the CT scan result to the radiologist.”
Cultural note
CT scanners are available in most Iranian provincial hospitals and major private clinics, though equipment age and maintenance quality vary by location. In Persian medical settings, doctors often decide between سیتی اسکن and امآرآی based on urgency, cost, and what organ system is being examined. Brain and chest emergencies typically go straight to سیتی اسکن because the procedure is faster.