A mechanical procedure that involves a computer linked to an x-ray machine to make a series of detailed images of areas inside the body. The images are taken from different angles and are used to make three-dimensional (3-D) views of tissues and organs. A dye may be injected into the vein or swallowed to get the tissues and organs images more clear. A CT scan typically used to help diagnose disease, plan treatment accordingly, or find out how well a certain treatment is working. It is also called CAT scan, which is computed tomography scan or computerized axial tomography scan, or computerized tomography. CT scan images show up more-detailed information than a plain X-ray do. A CT scan usually has many uses, but it’s particularly use to, quickly examine patient who may have internal injuries from any accident or any types of trauma. It can also be used to visualize nearly all parts of a body and is used to plan medical or surgical or radiation treatment.
What is a CT scan used for?
During a CT scan, patient lie in a tunnel-like machine while the inside of it rotates and takes a series of images from different angles. These images are then uploaded in a computer, where these are combined to produce images of cross-sections or slices of the body. These may also be combined to create a 3-D image of a particular part of the body.Doctors prescribe CT scans for below mentioned reasons:
- CT scans can detect bone and joint problems, such as complex bone fractures and tumours.
- If a patient has a condition like cancer, emphysema, heart disease, liver masses, this scan can spot it and/or helps physician see any changes.
- They show internal injuries or bleeding, caused by any accident.
- They can help locate a blood clot, excess fluid, tumor, or infection.
- Doctors uses this scan to guide treatment plans and procedures, including surgeries, biopsies, and radiation therapy.
- Doctors can compare report of this scans to find out if certain treatments are working.
How is it performed?
A doctor may give a patient a special dye called a contrast material to help internal structures show up more clearly on the 3-D images. The dye blocks X-rays and appears white on the pictures, allowing it to highlight the blood vessels, intestines, or other structures in the area being diagnosed. Depending on the part of one’s body that’s being inspected, he/she may needs to drink a liquid containing the contrast. Alternatively, the contrast may need to be injected into his/her arm or administered through his/her rectum via an enema. If the doctor plans on using the dye, they may ask his/her to fast for four to six hours before the CT scan.When it comes time to have the CT scan, patient will be asked to change into a hospital gown as well as to remove any metal objects. Metals can interfere with the CT scan reports. These item includes glasses, jewellery, and dentures. The doctor will then ask him/her to lie face up on a table that slides into the scanning machine. Then he will leave the Scanning room and go into the control room. Patient will be able to communicate with him via an intercom.
While the table slowly moves the patient into the machine, the X-ray machine will rotate around him/her. Each rotation produces numerous pictures of thin slices of one’s body. The patient may hear buzzing and whirring like noises during the exam. The table will move a few millimetres during scanning until the scan is finished. The entire scanning procedure may range anywhere from 20 minutes to one hour.It’s very much important to lie still while 3-D pictures are being taken because movement can result in blurry images. The doctor may ask him/her to hold breath for a short period during the scan to prevent patient’s chest from moving up and down. If a young one needs a CT scan, the doctor may prescribe a sedative to keep him/her from moving.Once the scan is over, the images are sent to a radiologist for inspection. A radiologist is one who specializes in diagnosing as well as treating conditions using imaging techniques, like CT scans and X-rays. Then the doctor will follow-up with the patient to explain the reports. To get the best one, people can visit CT scan centre in Bangalore.
What are the risks associated with it?
There are some, very few risks associated with a CT scan. Though CT scans expose a patient to more radiation than normal X-rays, the risk of cancer resulted by radiation is very small if he/she only has one scan. Patient’s risk for cancer may increase over time if he/she has multiple X-rays or CT scans. The risk of cancer increases in children having CT scans, especially to the chest and abdomen area.Some people have an allergic problem to the dye. Most dye contains iodine, so if anyone have had an adverse reaction to iodine in the past, make sure to notify the doctor. The doctor may give the patient allergy medication to counteract any potential side effects if the patient is allergic to iodine but must be given contrast.It’s also important to tell the doctor if anyone is pregnant. Though the rays from a CT scan is unlikely to harm one’s baby, the doctor may recommend alternative exam to minimize risk, like an ultrasound or MRI scan.
Conclusion
Patients visiting some of the big city’s big path labs or diagnostic centres may not have to shell out an exorbitant amount to get a CT scan any longer. Even they need not go from one lab to another to find out where the same can be done cheaper. To address the problem of varied pricing and better diagnosis of these medical exams, a long list of labs and diagnostic centres for best CT scan in Bangalore have come together to form the Association of Diagnostic Centres. And there are more likely to join in a few days.