WHAT IS A CT SCAN?

– PROCEDURES, RISKS & RESULTS

A computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan allows doctors to examine your body from inside. It uses a
combination of X-rays and a computer to make images of your bones, organs, and other tissues. It gives
you more information than a common X-ray. You can get a CT scan on any organ of your body. The
process doesn’t take very long, and it’s painless.

HOW DO CT SCANS WORKS?

They use a narrow X-ray beam that points out one part of your body. This provides a series of pictures
from many different positions. A computer uses detail to create a cross-sectional image. Like one piece
in a loaf of bread, this two-dimensional (2D) scan provides a slice of the inside of your body.

This process is repeated to produce a number of slices. The computer arranges these scans one on top
of the other to make a detailed image of your parts, bones, or blood vessels. For example, a surgeon
may use this type of scan to get complete information on a tumour to prepare for the surgery. A CT
scan can be used to visualize:

 Heart
 Head
 Spine
 Abdomen
 Knee
 Chest
 Shoulders
PROCEDURE TO PERFORM CT SCAN
CT scanners look like a large doughnut standing on its side. Patients lie on a narrow, motorized table
that slides through the opening into a tunnel. Straps and pillows can be used to help you stay in that
posture. During a head scan, the table may be fitted with a specific cradle that holds your head still.

While the table moves you into the scanner, detectors and the X-ray tube rotate around the patient.
Each rotation provides several images of thin slices of your body. You may hear buzzing and whirring
noises.

A technologist in a specific room can see and hear you. You can communicate with the technologist via
intercom. The technologist can ask you to stop breathing at certain points to avoid blurring the images.

Your consultant may give you a special dye called contrast material to provide a more clear structure of
your body through the X-ray images. With the help of a CT scan hospital, doctors can easily examine the
intestines, blood vessels, or other structures.

EXAMINE YOUR BODY IN CT SCAN HOSPITAL

Depending on the part of your body that’s being examined, you may need to have a liquid containing
the contrast. Alternatively, the liquid may need to be injected into your muscle or administered through
your rectum via an enema. If your doctor plans on using liquid material, they may tell you to fast for four
to six hours before your CT scan. Your consultant may suggest a CT scan to:

1. Guide procedures such as biopsy, surgery, and radiation therapy.

2. Pinpoint the location of an infection, tumor, or blood clot.
3. Detect and examine diseases and conditions such as heart problem, cancer, lung nodules, and
liver masses.
4. Diagnose muscle and bone problems, such as bone tumors and fractures.
5. Examine the effectiveness of specific treatments, such as cancer treatment.
6. Detect internal injuries and internal bleeding.

Doctors are also can compare CT scans to check some treatments are working. For example, scans of a
tumor over time can demonstrate whether it’s responding to chemotherapy or radiation.

RISKS INVOLVED IN CT SCAN

RADIATION EXPOSURE
During a CT scan, you can have ionizing radiation. The amount of radiation is greater than you would get
during a plain X-ray because the CT scan gathers more information. The low doses of radiation have not
been used to cause big harm, although, at much higher doses, there may be a hike in your potential risk
of cancer.
REACTIONS TO MATERIAL
Most reactions are placid and result in a rash or itchiness. In rare cases, an allergic reaction can be
dangerous, even life-threatening. Tell your consultant if you’ve ever had a reaction to contrast material.

HARM TO UNBORN BABIES

If you are pregnant then the radiation from a CT scan is unlikely to injure your baby, your doctor can
suggest another type of test, such as ultrasound or MRI, to avoid exposing your baby to radiation. At the
low doses of radiation used in CT Scan, no side effects have been observed in humans.

RESULTS OF CT SCAN
CT scan results are considered normal if your doctor didn’t see any tumours, blood clots, injuries, or
other abnormalities in the images. If any abnormalities are diagnosed during the CT scan, you may need
further treatments, depending on the type of issue found.

CONSULT THE EXPERTS AT NARAD HOSPITAL – THE BEST CT SCAN HOSPITAL

Narad Hospital is one of the best CT Scan Hospital in Hoshiarpur offering healthcare services to patients
through its modern diagnostic tools and CT Scan machines. At Narad Hospital, we provide a 24×7 CT
Scan facility in case of an emergency.

We have the best technologists to reduce the radiation dose because each CT Scan would give a patient
radiation equivalent to approximately 70 X-Ray.

At Narad Hospital, we have a highly experienced team of doctors to performs CT Scans, ultrasound,
blood tests, etc. successfully to serve a big smile on the patient’s face.