Medical professionals use all kinds of modern medical technologies to diagnose their patients. Without the help of state-of-the-art equipment, doctors would not be able to see inside the body and quickly diagnose issues. Machines that perform CT scans have taken medical science to a whole new level; these images provide a more detailed look at our bodies.
Details of a CT Scan
A CT scan stands for computerised tomography, it uses computers and rotating x-ray machines to build a map of your body. The images that are generated from the computer give a detailed picture of what is inside, making them an essential tool for all medical practitioners. They give an even better image of the body than an x-ray machine. An x-ray machine is only good for identifying fractures, it struggles to pick up small tears in the bone. A CT scan can be used to build an image of your:
- Head
- Neck
- Shoulders
- Spine
Although it has many uses, it is particularly good for detecting injuries and diagnosing disorders.
How it Works?
When your doctor books an appointment for a CT scan, there is nothing to worry about. Most of the time they are dismissing other possible problems to ensure they have correctly diagnosed the issue. During a CT scan, you lie down on a bed that slides inside a machine. You are now lying face down inside something that resembles a tunnel.
The inside of the machine rotates, and your position stays fixed. It then takes images of your body using a series of x-rays from a variety of angles. All of the images are sent to a computer which then creates cross-sections of your body. These images give doctors an incredible view of the inside of your body, providing them with detailed information about bones, blood vessels, and soft tissue.
Value for Diagnosis
Health professionals benefit greatly from machines that can perform CT scans and other imaging. The images a CT scan creates makes a huge difference during diagnosis, the more information a doctor has, the easier it is to treat the issue. A CT scan helps medical professionals to identify infections, muscle disorders and bone fractures. In addition, they can also be used to pinpoint tumours, study blood vessels, find internal bleeding, and guide procedures.
Low Risk
One of the best things about having a CT scan is the low risk involved with the procedure. The test is minimally invasive, and it can be done quickly. The probability of getting cancer is extremely low as you are only exposed to small levels of radiation during the test.
A CT scan is an invaluable piece of medical equipment for professionals in the field. It is incredibly useful in diagnosis because it allows doctors to see inside the body. Although there are many different types of imaging scans, a CT scan is one of the most effective. A CT scan can help your doctor detect a range of medical problems, from brain tumours to sports injuries.