CT scan: Procedure, Risks and Results

The term “CT scan” is frequently used to refer to computed tomography. A CT scan is a diagnostic imaging process that creates images of the inside of the body using a combination of X-rays and computer technologies. Any portion of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, organs, and blood arteries, is shown in detail.

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Compared to traditional X-rays, CT scans are more detailed. A beam of radiation is directed towards the bodily portion being investigated in normal X-rays. After the energy beam passes through the skin, bone, muscle, and other tissues, it varies and is captured by a plate behind the body portion. While a normal X-ray can provide a lot of information, inside organs and other structures cannot be seen in great detail.

The X-ray beam rotates in a circle around the body during a CT scan. This provides significantly more information and enables numerous views of the same organ or structure. The X-ray data is transmitted to a computer, which analyses it and shows it on a monitor in two dimensions. Three-dimensional graphics are now achievable thanks to newer technology and computer software.

To assist in the diagnosis of cancers, to look into internal bleeding, or to look for other internal injuries or damage, CT scans may be carried out. A tissue or fluid biopsy can also be performed using CT.

Image source: hopkinsmedicine.org

When to perform a CT scan?

Internal organs, blood arteries, bones, and other body structures can all be seen in great detail in CT scans.

They may be utilised for diagnosing diseases such as cancer, stroke, blood flow issues, internal organ injuries, and bone and internal organ damage.

CT scans, for instance, can help determine the location, size, and shape of a tumour before radiotherapy, or they can enable a doctor to perform a needle biopsy, in which a small tissue sample is removed with a needle, or drain an abscess. CT scans can also be used to monitor conditions, such as determining the size of tumours both during and after cancer treatment.

If you don’t have any symptoms, a CT scan wouldn’t typically be performed to look for issues (known as screening).

This is due to the possibility that screening may not be beneficial enough to outweigh the hazards, especially if it results in unneeded testing and anxiety.

How do I get ready for a CT scan?

• When you schedule your appointment, you will be given particular instructions if you are having a virtual colonoscopy or a computed tomography angiography (CTA).
• Precaution: Before arranging the exam, please check with your doctor if you are pregnant or suspect that you could be.
• Dressing in a patient gown may be required of you. If so, you will be given a gown. Please take off all jewellery, leave all valuables at home, and take out all piercings.
• MEDIA IN CONTRAST: Contrast may be recommended for your exam. The use of contrast media enhances the radiologist’s capacity to identify aberrant structures and comprehend normal anatomy.
• ALLERGY: If you have ever experienced an allergic response to any contrast media, please let the access centre agent know when you arrange your scan. If you have ever experienced a severe or anaphylactic reaction to any contrast media, IV contrast will not be given to you. A strategy that includes taking medicine before the CT exam is necessary for mild to moderate reactions. When you arrange your exam, these plans will be thoroughly reviewed with you. Your doctor should be informed of any known contrast media responses.
• EAT/DRINK: You can eat, drink, and take your prescribed medications before your exam if your study was ordered without contrast.
• Do not eat anything three hours before your CT scan if your doctor has prescribed a contrast-enhanced CT scan. We advise you to consume clear liquids. Additionally, you are allowed to take any prescription medications before the exam.
• A light meal or lunch should be consumed three hours before the scan time if you have diabetes. You could be instructed to stop taking your oral diabetic medication for 48 hours following the CT scan, depending on the medicine. After your exam, you will receive comprehensive instructions.
• MEDICATION: Everyone who has to take medication can do so as usual.

Risks associated with CT scan

You should let your doctor know if you are pregnant or suspect that you could be.

The radiation dose used in a CT scan is negligibly little. The amount of radiation utilised during the CT procedure and the dangers unique to your circumstance should be discussed with your doctor.

Inform your doctor ahead of time if you suffer from claustrophobia or have a tendency to get frightened easily. To make you more comfortable before the procedure, a small sedative may be provided to you.

Safety of CT scans

CT scans are speedy, comfortable, and in most cases secure. However, there is a very small chance that the contrast dye used will cause an allergic reaction, and you will also be exposed to X-ray radiation.

Depending on how much of your body is scanned during a CT scan, a different level of radiation exposure occurs.

The purpose of CT scanners is to prevent too high levels of exposure.

Your exposure to radiation during each scan is typically equal to between a few months and a few years of natural radiation exposure from the environment.

Although the danger is regarded to be extremely low, radiation exposure during CT scans may slightly raise your chances of acquiring cancer many years later (less than 1 in 2,000).

What happens throughout a CT scan?

• CT scans can be done as an outpatient procedure or as part of your hospital stay. Procedures could change based on your health and your doctor’s preferences. In general, CT scans proceed as follows:
• You could be required to put on a patient gown. If so, you will be given a gown. All personal items can be stored in a locker that will be provided. Please take off all jewellery, leave all valuables at home, and take out all piercings.
• An IV line will be established in the hand or arm for injection of the contrast media if you are having a procedure that requires it. You will be given a liquid contrast solution to ingest for oral contrast. The contrast may occasionally be administered rectally.
• You will be placed on a scan table that glides into the scanner’s sizable, cirrhotic entrance.
• X-rays will briefly pass through your body as the scanner starts to revolve around you. There will be clicking noises, which is typical.
• The scanner will pick up the X-rays absorbed by the body’s tissues and send them to the computer. The data will be processed by the computer into an image that the radiologist will interpret.
• You must maintain complete stillness throughout the treatment. Throughout the operation, you could be instructed to hold your breath on several occasions.
• If your procedure involves the use of contrast media, you can experience certain side effects when the contrast is put into the IV line. These side effects can include flushing, a metallic or salty aftertaste, a short headache, nausea, and vomiting. These effects often only last a short while.

Image source: cancer.org

What happens afterwards?

A CT scan shouldn’t leave you feeling any aftereffects, and you can usually leave for home right away. You can eat, drink, commute to work, and operate a vehicle as usual.

You might be told to stay in the hospital for up to an hour if contrast was used to make sure you don’t react negatively to it.

Normally, the contrast is perfectly safe and will leave your body through urine.

Typically, the scan findings won’t be available right away. A computer must process your scan’s data before being examined by a radiologist (a specialist in interpreting images of the body).

The radiologist will create a report after analysing the photos and send it to the physician who recommended you for the scan so they may go through the findings with you. Typically, this requires a few days or weeks.

What are some of the advances in CT technology?

Technology improvements in CT include:

• High-resolution CT: This kind of CT scan makes use of incredibly small slices (less than 0.1 inches), which are useful for revealing more information in some situations, like lung disease.
• The X-ray beam circles the patient during a helical or spiral CT scan, which involves both the patient and the X-ray beam moving continually. Compared to traditional CT scans, the images are acquired faster. Greater resolution and contrast in the generated images allow for more detailed information to be displayed. It is possible to learn more about calcium deposits inside the coronary arteries of the heart using multidetector-row helical CT scanners.
• Ultrafast CT, also known as electron beam CT, is a sort of CT scan that generates images very quickly, providing a kind of “movie” of moving bodily parts, such as the heart’s chambers and valves. Although the helical scanners are far more frequent, this scan can also be utilised to learn more about calcium buildup in the coronary arteries of the heart.
• Angiography by computed tomography (CTA): The blood vessels are visualised on an X-ray during an angiography (or arteriography). In contrast to traditional X-rays or fluoroscopy, CT angiography uses CT technology to acquire images of blood vessels, such as the coronary arteries of the heart.
• Positron emission tomography and computed tomography combined (PET/CT): PET/CT refers to the integration of CT and positron emission tomography technologies into a single device. To increase the accuracy of the diagnosis and treatment of some diseases, particularly cancer, PET/CT combines the capabilities of CT to display detailed anatomy with that of PET to reveal cell function and metabolism. Additionally, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, and coronary artery disease may all be assessed with PET/CT.

Image source: uhs.nhs.uk

Summary

CT scan is a diagnostic imaging process that creates images of the inside of the body. Compared to traditional X-rays, CT scans are more detailed. Three-dimensional graphics are now achievable thanks to newer technology and computer software. CT scans can assist in the diagnosis of cancers, look into internal bleeding, or look for other internal injuries or damage.

CT scans can also be used to monitor conditions, such as determining the size of tumours both during and after cancer treatment.

CT angiography uses CT technology to acquire images of blood vessels, such as the coronary arteries of the heart. High-resolution CT makes use of incredibly small slices (less than 0.1 inches), which are useful for revealing more information in some situations, like lung disease. PET/CT combines the capabilities of CT and PET to reveal cell function and metabolism.

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Team MBD

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