CT scan is one of the most prominent diagnostic tools used by doctors that gives a detailed view of your body. It assists in diagnosing a wide range of health challenges, plan and monitor treatment. Before you schedule an appointment for a CT scan at a diagnostic center let us know some important facts about it.
A CT scan produces images of a cross-section of your body with the help of computers and X-rays. It takes images that show your bones, blood vessels, and organs in thin slices so that your doctor or healthcare professional can examine your body in greater detail.
Apart from knowing different aspects of CT scan, it’s also imperative that you choose the best diagnostic center to ensure accuracy of reports and guidance from experts.
Are you searching for a diagnostic center in Pune?
Sunrise Diagnostic is one of the best diagnostic center in Pune due to its dedicated and committed team of experts.
Coming back to understanding more about CT scans, let us delve into deeper aspects of CT scanning by explaining them in a simple manner.
Things you must know about CT scans:
Let’s start with the basics.
1. How does a CT scan work?
A narrow X-ray beam circles around a part of your body that has to be examined. Thus, series of images of that part is captured in varied angles. Here the role of the computer is to use this information to create cross-sectional pictures. This 2D or two-dimensional scan shows a slice of that body part.
This entire process is done repeatedly to arrive at a number of slices. Now the computer stacks these scans on top of each other. This helps to get a detailed image of your bones, organs, or blood vessels.
2. How does this help a doctor?
This helps the doctor or surgeon to look at different sides of a tumor to decide on how to operate the patient, rendering a realistic view to the doctor and prepares him/her for the surgery.
X-ray and CT scan:
X-ray machines have a fixed tube to point X-rays on a single spot. When X-rays start to travel through your body, they are absorbed by tissues in different amounts. Tissues with higher density create a whiter image as compared to other tissues. This image is captured against the black background of the film.
X-rays are 2D images while CT scans are a bit different since they have a doughnut-shaped tube rotating around you in 360 degrees. Thus, the data that is produced through this process is used to capture 3D images of your body parts, bones, tissues, or organs.
3. Why does a doctor recommend a CT scan?
A doctor would need a CT scan for the following reasons:
- CT scans are required to detect joint and bone issues like tumors or bone fractures that are complex and need further examination.
- In case of an internal injury and bleeding after an accident, a CT scan is necessary.
- It helps in studying the progress of the cancer treatment and how a patient is responding to chemotherapy.
- Doctors can locate a blood clot, infection, tumor, or excess fluid.
- Health issues like heart disease, liver masses, lung nodules, cancer or emphysema, can be spotted by a CT scan, helping the doctor to see the changes as well.
- After studying the CT scan a doctor can guide the future course of treatment, and procedures like radiation therapy, biopsies, and surgeries.
4. CT scan reconstructs individual images:
While conducting a CT scan, X-rays are used but, different views of the images are captured and then fed into the computer. The word “tomography” from Computer Tomography is derived from a Greek word that means ‘slices’. The CT scan machine records slices of that part of the body, which the doctor wishes to examine. Then the computer assembles these slices to get a clear view of the inside part of your body. The doctor receives these images on a computer screen, a CD, an X-ray film, or a DVD.
5. CT scan won’t hurt:
You won’t experience any pain during the scan. You have to lie on an examination table that slides into the CT scan machine. Post that the machine will rotate around you and X rays are captured. Your body is not touched by the machine. All you have to do is stay still and hold your breath after intervals for short periods. It’s true that you will hear a whirring sound that is soft. Generally, you are alone in the exam room, but your voice is heard by the technician. This entire process takes 30 minutes.
6. Stay still during the scan:
Ensure that you stay still during the procedure because if you move the images will be blurred. Even your breathing affects the image. The technician will ask you to hold your breath so, follow the instructions.
A scan will take anywhere between a few minutes to an hour. You can talk to the radiologic technologist by using an intercom system during the procedure if you feel anxious or uncomfortable.
7. Why a contrast dye is required?
Sometimes, scans will require the use of a contrast agent.
What is this contrast agent?
It will be called a dye that improves the images by highlighting certain significant features. You will be given an IV injection or a special liquid to drink that will be a contrasting agent. This depends on the type of CT scan you are advised of and the reason for the scan. If you get a bit worried about the fact that you have to consume the liquid or get a contrasting agent injected, remember that it will be cleared from your body through urine. Initially, it will be done rapidly and then gradually over the next 24 hours.
Why do you need this contrasting agent?
A contrasting agent will highlight the internal structures of your body helping the healthcare professional to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. This clearly highlights the issue.
Things to remember:
If you are advised a contrast dye, you will have to fast for 3 hours prior to the procedure.
The dye will be provided to you 45 minutes prior to the scan, either as a liquid to consume or a liquid to be injected in your veins as mentioned earlier.
There isn’t any need to worry about the side effects of this unique process. Yes, there could be minor complications that are rare. Notify your doctor if you are sensitive or allergic to any medication, if you are diabetic and consuming any medication, suffering from a kidney problem or if you have ever had issues with contrast dye.
While hunting for full-body health check-up packages or the best health check-up packages in Pune, you can completely trust the Sunrise Diagnostic team. It is also a well-equipped CT scan and sonography center in Pune where the team will guide, assist and make you feel comfortable.
Your health is our responsibility!!