Understanding CT scans: Purpose, Procedure and Preparation

Doctors cannot diagnose all medical conditions through physical exams or blood tests. Certain medical conditions require the doctor to look at detailed images of tissues and organs inside the body. That’s where imaging tests are helpful.

Among imaging tests, a computer tomography (CT) scan can provide a better and more detailed view of tissues, organs, blood vessels and bones compared to an X-ray or an ultrasound. Understanding the CT scan can help one better prepare physically and mentally for the procedure.

This article discusses the CT scan, its purpose, preparation, and more.

What is a CT scan?

A CT scan is an image-based test that creates detailed, cross-sectional body images using computers and rotating X-ray machines. A CT scan can show soft tissue, bones and blood vessels in the body.

Using a CT scan, doctors can visualize the following body areas in detail:

1. Head
2. Shoulder
3. Spine
4. Heart
5. Abdomen
6. Knee
7. Chest

CAT scan is another term for CT scan. The rotating X-ray machine in a CT scan takes body images from different angles and provides a better view than a standard X-ray or an ultrasound. The CT scan cost is typically higher than that of an X-ray or ultrasound.

When is a CT Scan Done?

The doctor orders a CT scan to diagnose or monitor the following conditions:

1. Certain cancers or benign tumours
2. Fractures
3. Heart disease
4. Blood clots
5. Bowel diseases
6. Kidney stone
7. Brain injuries
8. Spinal injuries
9. Internal bleeding

Why is a CT Scan Required?

The purpose of a CT scan is:

1. Diagnosing Infections: A CT scan can help diagnose infections, muscle disorders and bone fractures.
2. Locating Cancer: A CT scan can help locate tumours or masses in the body.
3. Studying Internal Structures: Using a CT scan, the doctor can study blood vessels and the body’s internal structures to look for abnormalities.
4. Monitoring Extent of Internal Injury: A CT scan can reveal the extent of an internal injury or internal bleeding in the body.
5. Guiding Procedures: A CT scan can play a guiding role in surgeries and biopsies.
6. Evaluating Treatment: Doctors can evaluate the efficacy of a particular medicine or treatment using a CT scan.
7. Assessing Disease Progress: A CT scan can help reveal the progress of diseases such as cancer, heart problems, liver masses and lung nodules. An example is the calcium test for the heart, which uses a CT scan to determine the extent of calcium deposited in the coronary arteries.

How to Prepare for a CT Scan?

Doctors usually recommend the following general guidelines before a CT scan:

1. Planning to arrive early for the test appointment.
2. Not eating four hours before the scan.
3. Drinking only clear liquids two hours before the scan.
4. Changing into the hospital gown before the test.
5. Removing any metal objects (belts, jewelry, eyeglasses, dentures, etc.) from one’s body before the test.
6. Informing the technician about any allergies or medical conditions before the test.

How is a CT Scan Test Performed?

CT scans usually take about an hour, with most of the time devoted to preparation. The actual time taken for the scan is typically 10 to 15 minutes.

A CT scan includes the following steps:

1. At the beginning of the test, the patient changes into a hospital gown after removing all metal objects from their person.
2. The test technician then inserts an IV catheter in the patient’s arm or leg to inject the contrast die (if required).
3. The patient lies on a narrow table that slides in and out of a circular scanner, depending on which body part is being scanned.
4. The technician then leaves the room, and the test begins, where the circular structure rotates around the patient.
5. During the test, the technician can ask the patient to keep still, hold their breath or hold a particular position to capture a better image.
6. The test concludes in 15 minutes to one hour.

A CT scan is an invaluable diagnostic tool that allows the doctor to examine detailed images of the body’s internal structures, including soft tissues, blood vessels and bones. A CT scan performs many functions, from diagnosing to monitoring conditions like heart problems. While a CT scan’s price is higher than an X-ray or ultrasound, the images produced have a higher level of detail as well, offering a better understanding of the body’s health. Individuals should consult a doctor and book a heart CT scan with Dr Lal PathLabs if they notice the symptoms of heart problems.

FAQs

1. What are the risks of a full body CT scan?
Some risks associated with a CT scan are:

-Radiation exposure
-Allergic reaction to contrast dye
-Elevated cancer risk due to multiple scans

2. What are the side effects of a CT scan?
Some possible side effects of a CT scan can include:
-Nausea
-Vomiting
-Dizziness