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Ct Scan History

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The use of modern technology dominates western medicine. These machines allow physician to make fast and more precise diagnoses. One machine in particular, the Computed Tomography (CT) scan has revolutionized modern medicine. The usefulness of CT scan in modern medicine will be further explored below. The CT scan is a machine that uses 360-degree x-ray beam and computer to produce images that allows for cross-sectional views of body organs. Hage and Atkins indicated that the CT scan debuted in the 1970s; however, it was not until the 1990s when the machine became more affordable that the use of the CT scan become more popular. The affordability of the machine has turned it into a hot commodity in all modern hospitals and even outpatient services. …show more content…

Olson emphasized on the advancement of medicine from the use of leeches and bleeding people to relieve them of evil humor to the current use of modern machines, such as the CT and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan. Olson explained that while modern medicine is fascinated with the CT scan, there are other technology such as the PET scan that can provide even greater detail than the CT scan. Using the CT scan in combination with PET scan can allow radiologist to differentiate between a mass, which is visible under CT scan or a specific tumor, which can be seen using a PET scan (Olson). Based on the information provided by Olson “a PET scan can show the level of a tumor. It can be used for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease and some heart diseases. Combined with the CT scan, it's tremendously valuable" …show more content…

In order for CT scan to compute relevant images, ionizing ration must be used. People who are exposed to radiation are at a higher risk of developing cancer. Consequently, physicians must work diligently to minimize the amount of radiation that patients are exposed to. In order to so, there are several steps that clinicians can take. The steps are as indicated: the referring physician should be asked to justify the need for the radiation exposure; when an alternative to non-ionizing tool can be used, it should be used instead of CT; previously done images should never be repeated, but instead the results should be obtained to prevent unnecessary radiation exposure; education of referring clinicians, radiologist and the performing technicians regarding radiation doses; ensure scanner settings and parameters set to ensure lowest dose to achieve diagnostic images in all age ranges ( Stoodley and Phillip p.135). If these steps are followed, radiation exposure can be reduced while providing modernize care to patients. CT scan has positively changed modern medicine, despite the negative impact of radiation exposure that is associated with it. The advantages to using CT scan as explained above exceeds the disadvantages. It can be concluded that CT scans will continue to be used in modern medicine until a better machine that can provide the

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