A CT (computed tomography) SCAN is referred to as a cat scan that is normally conducted to diagnose illnesses through computerized imaging. It captures the view of the body from numerous points to get an in-depth investigation of the illness. A CT scan provides a two- dimensional and cross-sectional view of the body’s insight which makes it different from a normal x-ray. Furthermore, the CT scan is normally advised by a physician in case of any abnormality indicated in an x-ray test. However, a CT-Scan Lungs does not give a proper analysis but it aids in the examination of lung disorders, and other related medical problems such as cancer, pneumonia, and blood lump which can be caused by inhaling tobacco thsi is known as .
The procedure of CT-Scan Lungs
As the CT scan is an in-depth view of the body’s insight, so the preparation and the procedure take time. In the examination, a dye named a contrast material is used in the diagnosis of the illness. The contrast material enters the individual’s body either by injections or in a fluid form. The physician may advise a candidate to fast for almost five to six hours before the examination. During the CT scan, the patient is advised not to wear any kind of metal object that can intrude on the procedure. Once all the precautions have been met, the patient is advised to lie down on the table facing the scanner. The examination is conducted via a control room and the communication takes place via an intercom.
The table where the candidate is lying down gradually enters the CT-scan machine, and then the x-ray apparatus begins to interchange its position and provides some images of the insight of the body. An individual can experience various sounds of the scanner when it is operating and taking pictures of the body from numerous angles. However, the CT scan for the lungs does not take a long time.
During this procedure, body movement is strictly forbidden as it can intrude on taking proper images of the body. Moreover, the CT-scan assistant or the physician might ask the patient for holding the oxygen for a while to prevent chest movement. Once the test is being conducted, the pictures are then referred to the radiologist department for further discussion about the patient’s condition. After that, the physician will recommend medication in case of diagnosis of any lung disease.
To whom lung test is necessary to be conducted?
- People who fall in the age group of fifty-five to seventy-seven years are recommended to conduct a CT scan for the lungs.
- If an individual had a smoking habit for several years, which can cause severe damage to the lungs and also lead to lung cancer. For such people, it is vital to take a CT-scan examination to know about lung conditions as excessive tobacco intake can cause damage to the lungs.
- The individual must have a lung CT scan who is in contact with the substance that causes cancer such as chloride, benzene, and benzidine.
- The CT-scan test is vital for cancer patients to keep an eye on lung disease. It must be conducted at least once a year to ensure that cancer does not come back once it ended.
Why does a doctor need a CT-Scan Lungs?
The lungs examination can be conducted to diagnose numerous chest problems which are mostly missed out by an x-ray picture. It includes the following;
- The CT-scan analysis can aid the doctor in checking any jams in the lungs.
- Similarly, the doctor can advise the patient for the scan if there is an injury that the patient just experienced and has intrathoracic bleeding.
- If a patient came with the symptoms of a lung infection such as pneumonia, asthma, and other lung infections, then the doctor needs to advise a sufferer to conduct a CT scan.
- Moreover, if the physician might have to highlight a tumor located in the chest, then it would be better to have a CT scan for better results as compared to an x-ray. The CT scan would not only help in highlighting the tumor but also be able to identify the chances of unexpected chest pain.
- A CT scan is not specified for lungs only; it can also be conducted for a full-body scanning to detect any injuries caused to an individual from past accidents or any infections in the body.
- CT-examination is also being carried out in case of insufficient information from x-rays or blood tests about the sufferers’ condition.
Risk Factors of CT-Scan Lungs
The procedure is mostly considered a safe one, but some individuals can experience certain risks of a CT scan. The CT scan for the lung contains a lot of radiation as compared to an x-ray. The calculation of radiation can increase if an individual is advised to have a CT scan twice or more. Patients with cancers are more likely to have frequent CT scans in a year to calculate the growth of a tumor located in the body. It leads to an increased risk of radiation in the body in which the lungs and the abdomen are at higher risk.
Furthermore, some sufferers are likely to develop an allergic reaction to the dye (contrast material) which is either injected or given to the patient in the form of a fluid. So, the patient must inform the physician or the assistant present in the control room about the allergic reaction one can have after the material intake.
References:
- https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/lung-cancer/getting-diagnosed/tests/ct-scan?msclkid=14c0eb1bb31011ec92bd090f363a2677
- https://www.emoryhealthcare.org/centers-programs/lung-ct-program/about.html?msclkid=14bccec6b31011ecafdc796e46f72df2
- https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-procedures-and-tests/ct-scan?msclkid=14c03b0db31011ec9795fac753f0e727
- https://aqmdi.com/ct-scan-of-lungs/?msclkid=14bd5b8cb31011eca1613613c1e05c22
- https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/lung-tests#:~:text=A%20chest%20CT%20scan%20also%20can%20help%20determine,pleural%20effusion%2C%20pulmonary%20embolism%2C%20emphysema%2C%20tuberculosis%2C%20and%20pneumonia.?msclkid=14bc25fdb31011ec9453fa747bff9a9b
