A CT scan, which stands for computerized tomography, is a diagnostic radiology technique using x-rays to produce images of your body’s internal structures. The machine itself works a little like a camera, taking cross-sectional shots of your body from all different angles and assembling them all together into 2-D images. Some of the most common uses for CT MRI technology are to evaluate broken bones, look for cancer, check for blood clots, examine signs of heart disease and ascertain internal bleeding.

The full exam, which should take no more than an hour, can be done in an outpatient clinic or hospital setting. To prepare for CT scans, patients usually have to remove their clothes, any metal objects and jewelry, then put on a hospital gown. Depending on which part of the body is being scanned, some patients need to fast for a few hours and have contrast liquid ingested or injected to emphasize more intricate structures like blood vessels. Some patients are also required to modify their diets and take laxatives. Small children may need to take a sedative so that they can remain calm and still to achieve the best test results and clearest images.

The CT scan is widely heralded because it can create very detailed images, because it’s fast, it’s less expensive than other tests and it’s more widely available than ever before. The fact that the test is painless and non-invasive is also appreciated by patients who want a quick, easy diagnosis. Compared to x-rays, CT scans are much more advanced, medical physicians say. Some suggest that the shortage of radioactive isotopes used in nuclear medicine will actually fuel the CT scanning industry, causing more and more people to take this route of testing in the years to come.

However, the decision to get a CT scan is sort of like deciding whether one would like to know the future or not. For instance, in 15-30% of healthy patients, a slight abnormality may be discovered that is not life-threatening or even serious, but the individual may feel nervous about it and decide to undergo more medical procedures to be sure no “real” medical problem surfaces in the future. Critics of diagnostic radiology say that these “preventative tests” are nothing more than a cash cow for doctors who get paid more for each test they refer their patients to. And some even argue that the exposure to radiation actually increases the risk of developing cancer sometime in life. Ultimately, it’s up to the individual patient to see if the benefits outweigh the risks.

Matthew McMillan is a leading expert in the genital warts remedies. His works are regularly featured in online health publications on matters relating genital warts medication. For more information, visit treatmentforgenitalwarts.com.

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