CT Scan Diagnoses Strokes, Brain Tumors, Clogged Arteries

CT scans are useful for doctors to diagnose strokes, some brain tumors, and clogged carotid arteries.

Modern medical device technology is wonderful or is it? CT and nuclear medicine tests do have a downside. Scientists have raised concerns that large doses of radiation plus the widespread use of diagnostic procedures may pose a cancer risk.

The CT scan (computed tomography) or CAT scan (computed axial tomography) is made by passing X-rays through the brain, just like a regular CT scan. It is considered painless and high tech.  In addition to revealing the brain tissue structure, perfusion CT also shows how much blood is present in the brain and how quickly the blood moves. If blood cannot get to the brain, it can lead to death or permanent disability.

This technology is accomplished by scanning the patient several times every few seconds before, during, and after the intravenous delivery of an iodine-containing contrasting agent that absorbs the X-rays. The computer compiles these slices or cross-section pictures of soft tissue, bone, and blood vessels into sharp images. Some refer to CT scans as multi-slice machines.

Doctors like and need sharp images to diagnose where the blood is going, how fast, and how best to restore blood flow. CT scans make better diagnostic tools than simple X-rays. CT scans also use far more radiation than simple X-rays.

Do the advantages of using CT scans override the risks?

Generally considered safe, CT scans are now coming under fire for CT scan lawsuits.