CT Scan
CT Scan: Everything You Need to Know
A CT scan is a special X-ray test that gives your doctor a clear, 3-dimensional view of the inside of your body. A CT scan can be used to:
- look for cancer in the chest, abdomen, and pelvis
- evaluate symptoms such as abdominal pain or shortness of breath
- assess the severity of an injury, such as a head injury
- guide needle biopsies and surgeries
What is a CT Scan?
A CT scan, also called a CAT scan, is a noninvasive imaging test that uses special X-ray equipment to create detailed pictures, or scans, of areas inside the body. During a CT scan, you lie on a table and an X-ray tube rotates around your body. The test is painless and takes about 10 minutes.
A CT scan can be used to:
- look for cancer in the chest, abdomen, and pelvis
- evaluate symptoms such as abdominal pain or shortness of breath
- assess the severity of an injury, such as a head injury
- guide needle biopsies and surgeries
CT scans are often ordered for people who have unexplained pain or other symptoms that cannot be easily explained. CT scans are also often ordered to check for problems that have been found on other imaging tests, such as X-rays or ultrasounds.
CT scans are a very useful tool, but they do have some limitations. CT scans expose you to more radiation than other types of imaging tests, such as X-rays. This increased exposure may slightly increase your risk of cancer. However, the risk is very small, and the benefits of a CT scan usually outweigh the risks.
How Does a CT Scan Work?
CT scans are performed using a large machine that resembles a donut. You lie on a table that slides through the opening in the middle of the machine. An X-ray tube rotates around your body and takes images of the area being studied. The images are then transmitted to a computer for interpretation.
CT scans are painless and take just a few minutes. They are often used to diagnose problems with the bones, muscles, and organs. CT scans can also be used to guide doctors during biopsies and other procedures.
What are the Benefits of a CT Scan?
CT scans are painless and quick, and they do not require any special preparation. CT scans are also very accurate and can be used to detect small lesions that might not be visible on an X-ray.
CT scans can be used to diagnose a wide variety of conditions, including cancers, infections, and bone fractures. They can also be used to guide biopsies and other procedures.
CT scans are generally safe, but they do expose you to a small amount of radiation. The risk of radiation-related health problems is low, but it does increase with the number of CT scans you have.
CT Scan Cost
Telangana Diagnostics centers are providing CT Scan completely free, private ct scan centers charge you any where between 1500 to 5000 depending on the your CT Scan Type.
What are the Risks of a CT Scan?
CT scans expose you to more radiation than a traditional X-ray. However, the risk of developing cancer from a CT scan is very low. The radiation exposure from a CT scan is about the same as the amount of background radiation you are exposed to over the course of one year.talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of a CT scan before the test is performed.
Some people may experience anxiety or claustrophobia during a CT scan. If you think you may have trouble staying still during the test, ask your doctor for a sedative. You will need to stay still during the scan, so that the images are clear.
CT Scan Near me?
How to Prepare for a CT Scan
There is no special preparation required for a CT scan. You may be asked to drink water or contrast material before the test so that your organs will be visible on the images. Contrast material is a substance that makes certain structures more visible on the images. It is usually given through an IV, and you may feel a warm sensation when it is injected. The contrast material used for CT scans does not contain iodine.
If you are allergic to iodine, you may be given a different contrast material. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any allergies.
What to Expect During a CT Scan
During the CT scan, you will lie on a table that slides into the doughnut-shaped opening of the machine. The table will move through the machine as the X-ray tube rotates around your body. You will hear buzzing and clicking noises as the machine takes pictures. The test is painless and takes about 10 minutes.
You will need to hold very still during the scan so that the images are clear. The technologist will be able to see you at all times and will be able to hear you. You will be able to talk to the technologist through a microphone. If you are claustrophobic, you may want to ask your doctor for a sedative before the test.
How to Interpret CT Scan Results
A radiologist will interpret the CT scan images and send a report to your doctor. Your doctor will discuss the results with you and explain what they mean in relation to your health.
If you have any questions about your CT scan results, be sure to ask your doctor.
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