CAT or CT scans are powerful tools used in diagnosing illness. A CT scan can see more of what is going on inside your body then an X-ray or other method. There are many advantages to using this diagnostic tool and some disadvantages as well.
Being well informed can help you to understand both the benefits and the risks of CT scans. Computer Tomography (CT) scans are used to diagnose a host of illnesses like cancer, bone disease and other diseases that can attack organs. It is the preferred method of diagnosis when illness is suspected but cannot be confirmed using other testing measures.
How Does It Work
Typically a patient lays down on a table that moves. The head is secured so that motion is limited and the table slides into the machine and is adjusted to focus on the area of the body that is having the CT scan.
It is a painless procedure that can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes. In some cases a contrast material is inserted via an IV to get a better “picture” of the organ, bone or soft tissue that is being investigated by the CT scan.
The CT machine looks a bit like a giant donut. It can be load and may rotate around the body to get a 3D picture of the organ, bone or soft tissue. The noise can be scary but it does not cause any pain at all. As the machine rotates around the body it uses radiation to “see inside” and take pictures of the affected area. There are both pros and cons to opting for this diagnostic test.
List of Pros of CT Scan
1. Less Restrictions Than an MRI
MRI’s and CT scans are often used for the same diagnostic testing but in many cases the MRI has far too many restrictions like if you have a pace maker or if you have any metal in your body you are not able to use an MRI but you can have a CT scan.
2. Comprehensiveness
This type of diagnostic testing rarely misses a thing. Your doctor can easily see if there is something that is not right in your body with this type of testing. It offers a comprehensive look at your organs, bones and soft tissue in your body with very little being missed.
3. Accuracy
CT scans have the ability of pinpoint accuracy. A very small area or a very large area can be focused on. Unlike other diagnostic tools that do not offer this pinpoint accuracy the CT scan can pinpoint even the smallest area to get a good picture of what is going on.
4. Painless
There is no pain involved with this type of scan. Even if you are required to have contrast depending on what the scan is looking at you may be able to drink the contrast instead of having it injected intravenously.
5. It’s Fast
CT scans take about 10-30 minutes in full but a large part of that time is spent actually getting ready for the scan and getting back up from the scan. The actual scans takes seconds not minutes. It is a very fast procedure.
6. Excellent Planning Abilities
This scan is so precise that it allows our doctor to not only diagnose but also to help in the planning or treatments. For example if you have a tumor and it needs to be removed surgically the CT scan can provide the doctor with a road map of how to get to the tumor and whether there are other vital organs in the way and how to address the potential issues.
While CT scans are a crucial part of diagnosing and in preparing the treatment plan for very serious illnesses there are some disadvantages to using this diagnostic tool.
List of Cons of CT Scan
1. Amount fo Radiation That is Used
There is a lot of radiation that is used in this procedure that can cause damage further down the road. Typically if you have one or two scans in a close period of time you will not experience any issues but if you have more than 2 in a year or a short period of time you may be exposed to more radiation then your body can process and you may be at a higher risk of cancer because of the radiation exposure.
2. Contrast Issues
There is a large part of the population that use contrast during their scan that never have a reaction but the group that does experience a reaction is large enough that it is a very possible side effect. While a contrast reaction really cannot be considered a bad side effect of a CT scan the reality is if you never had the CT scan you never would be exposed to the contrast.
Reactions to the contrast range from a metal taste in your mouth to itching and hives to the inability to breathe. Luckily when there is a reaction it is typically pretty quick and you are already around health care professionals that can help you. If you are allergic to Iodine advise your health care professional. Iodine is the main cause of allergic reactions to contrast. There are formulas that do not contain Iodine. If you want to reduce your risk of having a reaction ask the health care professional to use a non-iodine formula.
3. Not Suitable for Pregnant Women
CT scans because they give off so much radiation should never be used on a pregnant woman for fear of damaging the fetus. Nursing mothers also should not opt for this diagnostic test with contrast because the chemicals in the contrast does cross into the breast milk.
4. Misdiagnosis
This scan really does pick up everything about the area that it is focused on which of course is an absolute pro however anomalies are often attributed to illnesses by doctors when in fact they are not disease just an anomaly in the body that is completely normal for that person. Many times an overzealous doctor will read more into a scan than necessary and misdiagnosis a patient AND start treatment based on the scan that is not correct.
5. Expensive
CT scans are very expensive. They typically range between $5000 and $7000 per scan. The machines themselves are so expensive that charging exorbitant fees to the insurance companies is the only way that a hospital or practice can get their money back for what they have spent. Typically if your cost share is 20% you are looking at a bill that is well over $1000 for this testing.
Overall
There are many proponents of this testing device but there are also some doctors that feel that the overuse of this diagnostic tool makes doctors lazy and many times simpler testing devices can be used to diagnose that are cheaper for the patient.
Many health care professionals feel that this testing should be the last frontier when trying to diagnose someone. They feel that CT scans should only be used when nothing else can confirm a diagnosis because not only is it a costly endeavor but it is also potentially harmful when you consider the amount of radiation that is expelled each time.
Other doctors feel that heading to the most accurate diagnostic tool available the first time cuts out wasted time for the patient and can help to make a more accurate diagnosis. Of course the high incidence of misdiagnosis and mismanagement of diseases because of the misinterpretation of the scan is also an issue that can be avoided if the doctor has other diagnostic testing done that can help to confirm what he believes the scan has revealed.
CT scans are very reliable testing tools and rarely provide “bad” or “wrong” information but because doctors are human life the rest of us it a CT scan does not prevent them from misdiagnosing disease based on what the scan shows.
In the end this comprehensive testing tool does reduce the risk of misdiagnosis and does provide an accurate comprehensive look at what is going on BUT a second opinion is always recommended before you start any treatment just to check off human error off the list.
A Final World
Using CT scans as a diagnostic tool is a good idea as long as it is done within reason. If your doctors sends you for a scan ask questions and make suggestions. In other words ask if there are other testing tools that can be used to get the same information if you do not want to be exposed to high doses of radiation. Suggest to the doctor to write the order for contrast (if there will be one) for a non-Iodine type just to be on the safe side and to ensure that you will not have a reaction.
It is your health and you can advocate for it as a matter of fact you should advocate for your health. If you feel like you have had one too many scans tell your doctor that you do not feel comfortable having another one and would like a different diagnostic process.
No one can force you to have CT scans or any other procedures. You can say no but you should know that this testing is 100% safe as long as you are not having too many scans each year. You should also know that it is one of the quickest ways to get an accurate diagnosis.
If you feel that your doctor may be a little off on interpreting your scan go see a different doctor for confirmation. It is your body and your scan so you can take the information with you.