Perhaps when your doctor prescribed a CT scan for you, you felt a little scared and curious. You probably had a lot of questions in your mind, like, 'What is this CT scan?', 'Is this a big deal?', 'Will it hurt?' Don't worry, it's very normal. Today, we'll talk about this CT scan in a very simple way, in a way that you can understand.
What is a CT scan?
Simply put, a CT scan is a special X-ray test that can produce very clear pictures of the organs, bones, and other tissues inside your body. It can produce much more detailed images than a regular X-ray film.
Think about a loaf of bread. When we cut a loaf of bread into slices, we can clearly see what's inside each slice, right? A CT scan does something similar. It takes many cross-sectional images (slices) of a part of your body. Then a computer puts all those images together to create a three-dimensional (3D) image of what's inside your body. Doctors call this Computed Tomography . This method allows the doctor to look around the body to see exactly what's inside, such as a tumor, a fracture, or some other problem.
CT, MRI, PET... How do these types of scans differ from each other?
You may have heard of other types of scans, such as MRI and PET. These are different from each other. Your doctor will choose the most appropriate scan type based on your condition. Let's look at the main differences between these.
| Scan type | How it works | What is it often used for? |
|---|---|---|
| CT Scan (Computed Tomography) | Cross-sectional images of the body are taken using X-rays and a computer. | It is used to detect fractures, tumors, internal bleeding, blood clots, brain and spinal cord injuries, etc. It is also often used to examine injuries after an accident. |
| MRI scan (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) | The images are taken using a strong magnetic field and radio waves. X-rays are not used here. | It is very useful for examining diseases of organs such as joints, soft tissues (muscles, tendons), brain, heart, and liver. MRI is also used to look for some types of cancer that cannot be seen clearly on a CT scan. |
| PET scan (Positron Emission Tomography) | A radioactive chemical substance (radiotracer) that is harmless to the body is injected and the metabolic activity of the cells is measured. | Cancer cells, heart disease, and brain diseases can be detected at very early stages. It can even detect changes in the way organs function. |
How is a CT scan done?
A CT scan is usually done in a hospital or radiology clinic.
1. Preparation: Your doctor will tell you to avoid eating or drinking for a few hours before the scan. You may be asked to wear a special gown provided by the hospital and remove all metal jewelry, such as earrings and necklaces.
2. During the scan: A radiology technologist performs this test. You will lie on a table that moves through a large, doughnut-shaped machine. As the table moves through the machine, the X-ray machine rotates around your body, taking pictures. It is common to hear a "whoosh... whoosh..." sound during this time.
3. Stay still: The most important thing is to stay still during the scan. If you move, the images may be blurry. That's why you may be asked to hold your breath for a while.
Although the entire process takes about 30 minutes, the actual scan takes much less time. Most of the time is spent getting ready.
What is a CT scan with 'contrast'?
In some cases, your doctor may ask you to have a CT scan using a special liquid called ``Contrast''.
CT scans show solid parts of our bodies, like bones, clearly. But soft tissues like the liver, kidneys, and blood vessels may not be as clear. This ``Contrast`` fluid is like coloring parts of a black and white picture to make them stand out. When this fluid enters the body, it blocks the X-ray rays and appears white on the scan image. Then, those organs can be seen very clearly.
There are several ways to introduce this ``(Contrast)`` fluid into the body:
- Injection: An injection into a vein. This method is used to examine things like blood vessels, the urinary system, and the liver.
- Orally: It is given as a liquid to drink. This helps to treat the digestive system, such as the stomach and intestines.
- As an enema: If the large intestine is being scanned, it is inserted into the body through the anus.
After the scan, your doctor will advise you to drink plenty of water to help flush the contrast fluid out of your body.
Are there any risks or side effects to this?
Like any medical test, a CT scan can carry very small risks. However, a doctor will order this test because the benefits of the test far outweigh the risks.
- Radiation: A CT scan uses a type of radiation called ``ionizing radiation.'' Research shows that exposure to high doses of this radiation over a long period of time can increase the risk of cancer. However, the amount of radiation received from a single CT scan is very small. Therefore, the risk of developing cancer is very low (about 1 in 2,000 cases, according to studies). Your doctor is aware of this risk, so he or she will only order a CT scan if it is absolutely necessary.
- Pregnant women and children: If you are pregnant, be sure to tell your doctor. If you need to examine the abdominal area, you may be able to choose an alternative, such as an ultrasound scan, which does not use radiation. When scanning young children, the dose of radiation is reduced to suit them.
- Allergies to Contrast: Some people may have an allergic reaction to the contrast dye. Most of the time, these are minor things like itching or redness. Very rarely, a severe allergic reaction can occur. For this reason, the staff will monitor you for a while after the contrast dye is given. If you have any allergies to seafood, iodine, or other medications, tell your doctor ahead of time.
- Other medical conditions: It is very important to inform your doctor if you have kidney disease or are taking the drug metformin for diabetes.
How much does a CT scan cost?
The cost of a CT scan varies from place to place.
- Public hospitals: This test can usually be done for free or at a very low cost at a public hospital, but sometimes you may have to wait on a waiting list.
- Private Hospitals: The cost at a private hospital can range from thousands to hundreds of thousands of rupees. This amount depends on the hospital where the scan is being performed, the part of the body being scanned, and whether or not contrast fluid is used.
It's best to check with the hospital about the cost before getting the test done. You can also talk to your doctor about this.
Take-Home Message
- A CT scan is a special X-ray test that can produce clear, three-dimensional (3D) images of what's inside the body.
- This is not a painful test, and it can be done quickly.
- This helps to diagnose and plan treatment for many medical conditions, such as fractures, internal injuries, blood clots, and cancer.
- The amount of radiation used is very low, so the risk is minimal. The doctor always considers the benefits and risks.
- Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant, have any allergies, or have other medical conditions such as kidney disease or diabetes.
- Talk openly with your doctor about any questions or concerns you have about this test.
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