Is a CT Scan the Right Choice for You?
CT scan is one of the most valuable medical diagnostic tools in today’s world. It provides a detailed picture of the internal organs and thus helps to detect any issues and abnormalities. It in turn helps the doctor to start treatment as soon as possible.
To a layman, there exists not much difference between a CT scan and an MRI scan. However, it’s not a cause of much worry as your healthcare professional has a sound knowledge of which one to choose. To put it simply, the difference between MRI and ct scan is primarily based on the level of understanding of your internal organs desired by your doctor.
What is a CT Scan?
The full form of CT is computerized tomography. CT scans are used to create multiple cross-sections of your body through X-rays. They are used to identify problems in your bones, soft tissues, and other organs.
How does a CT scan work?
A CT scan is used to generate images of internal organs that allows radiologists to view their structure, shape, density, etc. During the process, an x-ray tube keeps rotating around the person allowing multiple pictures to be captured from different angles. The images are then stored in a computer that removes the overlying bones, and other structures for a clear view of the organ.
Using a CT scan, the doctor can get to know the exact source of the problem and its location. In case the scan shows a problem, a course of treatment can then be recommended.
How Can a CT Scan Help You?
Scanned organ image, Image credit: Pixabay
CT scan is a painless procedure that can help you in a number of ways. Through it, individual body parts can be scanned effectively. A ct scan abdomen image enables the doctor to find out the causes of abdominal injuries or pain accurately. Similarly, a ct scan brain image can help identify precisely any brain damage or tumors.
Other advantages:
Provides a detailed picture of all internal organs from the brain to the heart, kidney, lungs, bones, and joints.
Effectively determines the need for surgery.
A typical CT scan is used to get information about bone fractures, tumors, internal bleeding, and cancer.
Through its quick scanning, it helps shorten the length of hospitalizations.
A CT scan provides precise information about the organ.
Limitations
A patient on a machine, Image credit: Pixabay
A CT scan is undeniably a powerful medical diagnostic tool that saves the life of thousands of people every year. It would be surprising to know that even this technological marvel comes with its own set of limitations. Some of its drawbacks are listed below.
A ct scan machine price can be as high as Rs. 1 crore, making the scan itself pretty expensive.
Exposure to high doses of radiation during a CT scan can put one at risk of developing cancer.
CT scans may harm the health of an unborn child in pregnant women.
Sometimes it isn’t easy to obtain detailed images of various body parts using a CT scan.
There are chances of inaccuracy when it comes to a head and brain CT scans due to nearby bones.
A CT scan is very effective in providing information about all the internal organs. It also helps to detect any complications at the earliest. As with everything, though, it has some limitations, the radiation that it emits being the foremost. If effectively interpreted by the physician, a CT scan can prove to a lifesaver for many.