- What is a C.T. scan ?
- Uses of a C.T. scan
- Types of C.T. scan
- Risks associated to C.T. scan
What is a C.T. scan ? ( Definition and overview )
C.T. Scan stands for Computed Tonography Scan , which is an imaging test used by doctors to detect diseases and injuries .
It uses a series of X- rays that are computed with the help of a computed to form detailed images of bones and soft tissues .
A C.T. Scan is a non invasive – painless process generally carried out at healthcare facilities and radio- diagnostic centres .
Uses of a C.T. scan ( what does a C.T. scan detect ? )
CT scans can be used to identify disease or injury within various regions of the body. For example, CT can be used as a useful screening tool for detecting possible tumors or lesions of the abdomen.
A CT scan of the heart may be prescribed when various types of heart diseases are suspected. CT can also be used to image the head in order to locate injuries, tumors, clots leading to stroke, hemorrhage, and other conditions.
It can image the lungs in order to reveal the presence of tumors, blood clots, excess fluid, and other conditions such as emphysema or pneumonia.
It is also useful for imaging complex bone fractures, severely eroded joints, or bone tumors since it usually produces more detail than a conventional x-ray.
Types of C.T. Scan
Risks associated to C.T. scan
CT scans use x-rays, and all x-rays produce ionizing radiation which has the potential to cause biological effects in living tissue. This risk increases with the number of exposures added up over the life of an individual. However, the risk of developing cancer from x-ray radiation exposure is generally negligible.
A CT scan in a pregnant woman poses no known risks to the baby if the area of the body being imaged isn’t the abdomen or pelvis.If imaging of the abdomen and pelvis is needed, doctors prefer to use exams that do not use radiation, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound. However, if there is an emergency or other time constraint, CT may be an acceptable alternative imaging option.
In some patients, contrast agents may cause allergic reactions, or in rare cases, temporary kidney failure. IV contrast agents should not be administered to patients with abnormal kidney function since they may induce a further reduction of kidney function, which may sometimes become permanent.Hence a Kidney Function Test is recommended before a C.T. scan .
Because children are more sensitive to ionizing radiation and have a longer life expectancy, they have a higher relative risk for developing cancer from such radiation compared with adults. Parents might ask the technologist or doctor if their machine settings have been adjusted for children.
*DISCLAIMER : This page provides useful information which a patient might want to go through before treatment . We don’t intend to over ride the doctor’s opinion in any ways and physician consultation in advised before going through any diagnostic tests *
sources : HTTPS://nibib.nih.gov , my.clevelandclinic.org , unsplash.com