|  | Conditions Treatments | Medical Conditions

The Advantages of CAT Scans

A CT (computed tomography) scan, often called a CAT scan by the public, is a medical test that aids doctors in diagnosing and treating a variety of medical conditions. A CT scan uses state-of-the-art X-ray equipment linked to special computers that produce images of the interior of the body. The pictures can then be seen on the computer monitor and printed. There are many advantages of CT scans.

  1. Diagnosing the Problem

    • A CT scan allows radiologists to more easily spot conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancers, infectious diseases, musculoskeletal disorders and trauma. Scans of blood vessels, soft tissue, internal organs and bones provide the radiologist with greater details than ordinary X-rays to be able to study and diagnose the problem. The CT scan is the fastest way to study the abdomen, chest and pelvis regions because it gives cross-sectional and detailed views of all the tissues. It is the tool of choice for diagnosing many types of cancer, including liver, lung and pancreatic cancer because the image reveals existing tumors, and doctors can measure their location, size and relation to close tissue. The CT scan aids in detecting vascular diseases that often lead to kidney failure, stroke and death, and it can also reveal if there is a blood clot in the lungs. The CT scan helps to diagnose spinal injuries and injuries to the skeletal structures of the hands and feet because it clearly shows the tiniest bones and their surrounding tissue.

    Planning Treatment Options

    • A CT scan allows doctors to plan treatment options because it is fast in identifying the nature of an injury. The scan helps to steer biopsies and guide procedures such as invasive tumor treatments and abscess drainage. The CT scan helps the doctor to plan for surgery and to determine the results of the surgery, such as gastric bypass surgery or organ transplants. It assists the doctor in planning, staging, and correctly administering radiation treatments for cancerous tumors and to monitor a patient's response to chemotherapy. It aids in measuring the density of bone minerals to detect osteoporosis.

    Preventing Health Problems

    • A CT scan can prevent health problems by detecting them early. Doctors use CT scans in patients with histories of heart disease, breast cancer, and other hereditary diseases in an attempt to catch the diseases early. Once the doctor identifies a potential health problem, he can use the appropriate measures to prevent the disease from becoming serious.

Medical Conditions - Related Articles