when ct scan is needed?
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Your doctor may recommend a CT scan to help: Diagnose muscle and bone disorders, such as bone tumors and fractures. Pinpoint the location of a tumor, infection or blood clot. Guide procedures such as surgery, biopsy and radiation therapy.
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At home. Drink plenty of liquids, especially water, for 24 hours after your CT scan. Drinking water will help remove the contrast from your body.
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CT scans use a combination of x-rays and computer technology to create images of your pancreas, gallbladder, and bile ducts. CT scans can show gallstones, or complications such as infection and blockage of the gallbladder or bile ducts. However, CT scans also can miss gallstones that you may have.
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Both the VQ scan and CTPA scan involve the use of ionising radiation. Although the radiation doses from the examination are small, any examination that uses radiation is only performed when absolutely necessary.
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Why is this test done? A CT scan of the chest can help find problems such as infection, lung cancer, blocked blood flow in the lung (pulmonary embolism), and other lung problems. It also can be used to see if cancer has spread into the chest from another area of the body.
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Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis is a diagnostic imaging test used to help detect diseases of the small bowel, colon and other internal organs and is often used to determine the cause of unexplained pain. CT scanning is fast, painless, noninvasive and accurate.
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Takeaway. Both CT scans and MRI scans are relatively low risk. Both offer important information to help your doctor properly diagnose specific conditions. Most likely, your doctor will tell you which one they recommend.
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Like X-rays and PET scans, CT scans use ionizing radiation, which can damage DNA and cause cancer. Two other imaging technologies, MRI scans and ultrasound, do not use radiation. CTs are used for a plethora of reasons, among them finding kidney stones, evaluating chest pain and detecting tumors or other abnormalities.
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A CT scan shows a cross-sectional view of the patient. In some cases, a CT study doesn't need to use a contrast agent. It can often provide better information than an IVP. However, it does result in an increased amount of radiation.
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CT scan and CT Urogram Computed tomography is a noninvasive imaging technique that uses X-ray technology to depict internal structures of the body such as the urinary tract. All kidney stones are visible on CT scans.
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A computerized tomography (CT) scan combines a series of X-ray images taken from different angles around your body and uses computer processing to create cross-sectional images (slices) of the bones, blood vessels and soft tissues inside your body. CT scan images provide more-detailed information than plain X-rays do.
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CT scans can detect bone and joint problems, like complex bone fractures and tumors. 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.
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Many times, providers ask for CT scans because they notice something unusual in an X-ray. Although the CT scan cannot give a definitive diagnosis, it is a helpful tool to evaluate lung diseases and conditions such as pneumonia, cancer, blood clots, or damage caused by smoking.
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When the CT scan is over, you can resume normal activities. If you had intravenous contrast, you should drink at least eight glasses of water throughout the day to help flush the contrast out of your body. Your doctor will receive the results within 48 hours.
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CT imaging involves the use of x-rays, which are a form of ionizing radiation. Exposure to ionizing radiation is known to increase the risk of cancer. Standard x-ray procedures, such as routine chest x-rays and mammography, use relatively low levels of ionizing radiation.
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CT scans expose you to radiation. A CT scan uses X-rays to create images of the brain and skull. X-rays are a form of radiation which increases the risk of cancer over your lifetime. Risks from radiation exposure add up, so it is best to avoid unnecessary radiation when possible.
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How to prepare for an abdominal CT scan. Your doctor will probably ask you to fast (not eat) for two to four hours before the scan. You may be asked to stop taking certain medications before your test. You may want to wear loose, comfortable clothing because you'll need to lie down on a procedure table.