Computed tomography (CT) scans are standard diagnostic tools to confirm or rule out health issues. Medical professionals perform approximately 80 million CT scans annually in the United States.
Your doctor may recommend a preventative medical scan to confirm your health and rule out any health issues you are at risk for. You can also book a diagnostic scan for your peace of mind. Let’s examine CT scans, how they work, and explain standard CT scan uses.
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What Is a CT Scan?
Radiologists perform medical imaging scans, including CT scans. Patients lie on a table that slides into the CT scanner. The scanner resembles a swimming flotation ring; it’s a large, thick circle on its side, so the table can slide through it, allowing the scanner to capture images of your body from all sides.
How Does a CT Scan Work?
The CT scanner’s circular ring contains an X-ray tube, which rotates as the table slides through the ring. You can expect to hear whirring as it rotates. The tube captures images of your body from all angles.
You must stay still during a CT scan to ensure the X-ray tube captures clear images. Some CT scans have straps for your body or a cradle for your head to keep you still.
Related: What Does a Heart CT Scan Detect?
What Are the Main Uses of a CT Scan?
CT scans are preventative and diagnostic health scans. The medical imaging provided by a CT scan helps doctors rule out various health issues or diagnose these issues before symptoms emerge. People at risk for the following issues may benefit from preventative health scans:
- Heart disease
- Lung cancer
CT scans can also provide diagnostic information on the following health issues:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Blood clots
- Broken bones
- Epilepsy
- Infections
- Musculoskeletal disorders
- Osteoporosis
CT scans are also used to prepare for surgery, confirming the location of tumors and injuries.
What Conditions Can a CT Scan Detect?
CT scans can detect several health issues, including the following:
- Cancer
- Colorectal diseases
- Fractures
- Heart disease
- Infections
- Infectious diseases
- Inflammation
- Internal bleeding
- Kidney infection
- Kidney stones
- Organ damage
- Osteoporosis
- Pancreatitis
CT Scan for Cancer Detection
CT scans allow for early lung cancer diagnosis, helping to lower the mortality rate from this disease by ensuring those with early-stage lung cancer receive prompt treatment before the disease progresses.
In addition to lung cancer, the images supplied by CT scans can help diagnose the following cancers:
- Bladder
- Colorectal
- Kidney
- Ovarian
- Pancreatic
- Stomach
CT Scans for Detecting Cardiovascular Diseases
CT scans can effectively identify plaque buildup in your arteries, which can lead to a blockage and cause a heart attack or heart failure. Confirming plaque buildup may justify surgery to prevent cardiovascular issues from a blockage. Changing your lifestyle and diet can help exclude further buildup.
CT Scans for Trauma and Injury Assessment
CT scans give medical professionals a look inside your body, which can help to verify internal injuries. Things that can be confirmed include the following:
- Abdominal injuries
- Broken bones
- Chest injuries
- Head trauma
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Pelvic injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
Preparation for a CT Scan: What To Expect
Dress in loose clothing, and do not wear jewelry to your CT scan. Patients typically wear a gown during the scan, so you should expect to change.
Whether you can eat or drink depends on whether you must take contrast dye. Eating and drinking are fine if you do not need contrast dye for your exam. Otherwise, you must stop eating and drinking three hours before your exam.
When you arrive for your appointment, you’ll have an IV administered if you need contrast dye via an IV line, or sometimes you can take the contrast orally.
Once it’s time for your scan, you’ll lie on the table that slides through the scanner. You must follow the radiologist’s directions and remain still while the machine captures images. You may also be asked to hold your breath for short periods.
Risks and Side Effects of CT Scans
There may be a risk to your unborn child if you’re pregnant, depending on the reason for your CT scan. You should notify your doctor if you’re pregnant to determine if you can complete the scan.
Although there is a small amount of exposure to radiation from CT scans, the exposure levels are small and increase your cancer risks nominally. However, repeated CT scans have a slightly higher cancer risk increase due to recurring exposure.
Claustrophobic people may have difficulty staying calm and still during a CT scan. If you are claustrophobic, let your doctor know, as it may be appropriate for you to take a mild sedative before your CT scan.
Related: What Does a CT Scan Show That an MRI Cannot?
The Role of Contrast Material in CT Scans
Contrast material can improve images of specific organs or tissue in your body. Depending on the reason for your CT scan, you may be instructed to take a contrast dye orally before your scan, or you may be given contrast dye through an IV. You will receive special instructions and should not eat for at least three hours before your CT scan. You should also expect to remain after your CT scan for monitoring. Side effects from contrast dye can include the following:
- Breathing problems
- Itchiness
- IV site pain
- Rashes
- Redness or swelling at the IV site
- Swelling
Innovations and Advancements in CT Scan Technology
Advances in CT scan technology enable these scanners to collect detailed images that give your medical team a more comprehensive look at your organs, muscles, bones, blood vessels, and tissues.
CT scan advancements have decreased the time needed for accurate, thorough scans. Our low-dose CT scans at Preventative Diagnostic Center typically take 15 minutes or less. When you book your preventative medical scan near your Las Vegas location, you can be confident we’ll perform a comprehensive health scan that will deliver the health information you seek.
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Sources:
Advances in Lung Cancer Research. (2024).
Radiation risk from medical imaging. (2021).
