Things to know about CT SCan

The importance of imaging in the medical world is immense. It is at times the thin line that demarcates life and death. Hence, CT scans, x-rays, MRIs, sonography, etc. are advised when it comes to the need for scanning the body internally for assessment of an ailment. CT scans serve the same purpose and are advised by doctors in numerous cases. You will often see CT scans advised for prognosis and diagnosis of the sickness of various organs, spinal cord disorders, bones defects, problems, etc. CT scans are crucial for the medical domain when it comes to checking the progression made by cancerous tumors.

So when it comes to getting a CT scan done, look out for the following:

1. Ensure that the Imaging center has an experienced radiologist who will create your reports. These reports act like the foundation on which the entire treatment plan and strategy will be built. An experienced radiologist is almost a valid guarantee of an error-free report.

2. Take stock of the kind of CT scanning machine your imaging center has. The latest machine will give better output. Technological advancements are improving

3. Technically a CT scan machine takes images from various angles that cover the entire spectrum of a diseased location. Hence, the more images or slices a CT scanning machine takes the better. You might want to ask the imaging center how many slices do their CT scanning machine take. Currently, the highest number of slices taken by a CT scanner is320 slices max.

4. Understand that at times you might be advised to have a contrast CT scan. This would mean that a special dye shall be either injected or you shall be asked to ingest this dye. This dye fundamentally highlights the internal organs, which makes diagnosis easier. In case you have been advised of a contrast CT scan, let your imaging center know. They will give you preparatory instructions which you need to observe before getting a contrast CT scan.

5. The dye causes allergic reactions in some patients. So, as advised, stay back after a contrast CT scan. You shall be under observation for a while to ensure everything is okay.

A CT scan hardly takes time. The procedure requires the patient to lie down on a bed that is moved into a doughnut-shaped tube. Unlike MRI machines, CT scanners do not use magnets, but they do use X-rays. X-rays minimize radiation exposure.

One of the best advice for anyone getting a CT scan is to check for the best imaging center in the area. This will mean checking for experienced radiologists with the center with the latest equipment.

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