A computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan allows doctors
to see inside your body. It uses a combination of X-rays and a computer to
create pictures of your organs, bones, and other tissues. It shows more detail
than a regular X-ray. You can get a CT scan on any part of your body.
The procedure isn’t very time-taking, and it's painless.
A doctor might order CT scans for a variety of
reasons: CT scans can detect bone and joint problems, like complex
bone fractures and tumours. If you have a condition
like cancer, heart disease, emphysema, or liver masses, CT
scans can spot it or help doctors see any changes. They show internal injuries
and bleeding, such as those caused by a car accident. They can help locate a
tumour, blood clot, excess fluid, or infection. Doctors use them to guide
treatment plans and procedures, such as biopsies, surgeries,
and radiation therapy. Doctors can compare CT scans to find out if certain
treatments are working. For example, scans of a tumour over time can show
whether it’s responding to chemotherapy or radiation.
CT scans usually use a narrow X-ray beam that circles
around one part of the body. This provides a series of images from many
different angles. A computer uses this information to create a cross-sectional
picture. The computer stacks these scans one on top of the other to create a
detailed image of your organs, bones, or blood vessels. For
example, a surgeon may use this type of scan to look at all sides of a tumour
to prepare for an operation.
The use of CT scanning combined with functional
endoscopic sinus surgery has helped the modern sinus surgeon to treat
patients more effectively, facilitating reduced morbidity and complications.
Physicians who are interested in treating patients with sinus disease must be
able to read and interpret sinus CT scans. Mastery of sinus anatomy and its
variant features forms the basis from which radiologic interpretation begins.
Familiarization with the radiologic landmarks and cross-sectional anatomy on patient
CT scans, along with clinical correlation, can further enhance the reader's
ability to understand sinus CT findings.
The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is the
division of the nervous system containing all the nerves that lie outside
of the central nervous system (CNS). The primary role of the PNS is to connect
the CNS to the organs, limbs, and skin. These nerves extend from the central
nervous system to the outermost areas of the body. The peripheral system allows
the brain and spinal cord to receive and send information to other areas of the
body, which allows us to react to stimuli in our environment.
Patient may be requested to discuss about their
family, medical, and medication history. Physical examination will be done.
Patient may be advised to take the test on fasting. If you are scheduled with
contrast or X-ray dye, you are advised not to eat or drink anything for six
hours prior to your test. If you are allergic, you are requested to inform
responsible radiologist or technician or doctor before proceeding for the test.
If diabetic, you should not take insulin and you are advised to talk to your
doctor regarding this. Any heart ailments, asthma, kidney problems, sickle cell
disease or pregnant, make sure the technologist know before your exam.
The test procedure for ctpns scan chennai will take 10 to 45 minutes. Patient is requested to
remove earrings, glasses, hearing aids and dentures prior to the exam. The
contrast x-ray may make you feel warm all through your body and experience a
metallic taste during the injection. These sensations will last until the
injection is completed. Children under the age of 18 years need to be
accompanied by an adult (parent or guardian). Doctor may advise to increase
normal fluid to flush the materials from your body that you received during
contrast. This intake is done over a 24-hour time period.
In a CT scan, dense substances like bones are easy to
see. But soft tissues don’t show up as well. They may look faint in the image.
To help them appear clearly, you may need a special dye called a contrast
material. Contrast materials are usually made of iodine or barium sulphate.
They can be received in one or more of the following ways:
- The
drugs are injected directly into a vein. This is done to help your blood
vessels, urinary tract, liver, or gallbladder stand out in
the image.
- Drinking
a liquid with the contrast material can enhance scans of your digestive
tract, the pathway of food through your body.
- If
your intestines are being scanned, the contrast material can be
inserted in your rectum.
Some people are allergic to the contrast materials.
Most of the time, the reaction is mild. It can lead to itchiness or
a rash. In very few cases, the dye may trigger a life-threatening
reaction. For this reason, your health care provider may want to monitor
you for a short period after your CT scan. Tell your doctor about
any allergies you have to medications, seafood, or iodine.
Your doctor should know, too, if you have diabetes and
are taking the drug metformin. He’ll let you know if you should stop
taking your medication before or after your procedure. Although it’s rare,
contrast materials can lead to kidney problems as well.
The cost of ctpns scan Chennai comes to an average of about Rs.2800 to Rs.4000
depending on the quality and availability.
CT scans use X-rays, which produce ionizing radiation. Research shows
that this kind of radiation may damage your DNA further leading to cancer.
But the risk is still very small -- your chances of developing a
fatal cancer because of a CT scan are about 1 in 2,000. But
radiation’s effect adds up over your lifetime. So, your risk increases with
every CT scan you get. Talk to your doctor about the procedure’s potential
dangers and benefits, and ask why the CT scan is absolutely necessary.
