Question: What is a CT scan? Are the applications and opportunities that a CT scan offers worth the negatives and risks that come along with it?
Introduction:
A CT scan, also known as computed tomography, utilises the computed compiling of many X-rays taken from all different directions around an object in order to form tomographic images of precise areas of the object, allowing one to see inside the object without incision. Because of the involvement with gamma rays in the process of a CT scan, there is an, albeit small, increase in the risk of developing cancer every time a scan is performed. This small payoff is almost always worth it, as CT scans play a huge part in not only modern medical imaging, but has more recently been
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Discussion:
A gamma ray is a form of electromagnetic radiation that consists of high-energy protons due to its extremely high frequency wavelengths. Gamma rays ionizing radiation, meaning that they are hazardous because they carry enough energy to free electrons from atoms and molecules, this, in turn, gives them higher penetrating power than any other form of radiation. Another type of electromagnetic radiation is X-radiation, which shares the name of its components, X-rays, with the well-known medical imaging method. While these two are scientifically classified as separate forms of radiation, they are extremely similar to the point where there is only two known ways to determine if the radiation being emitted is one or the other, and both of these methods have cases where there are exceptions. The first method is to compare where the radiation is originating from, with regular gamma rays coming from the nucleus of an atom and X-rays being emitted by electrons. This method has two primary issues, being that 1- the precise point of origin cannot always be pinpointed and 2- that there are actually a number of much less common processes that can produce the same high-energy photons. The second method is to determine the variant of rays by the wavelength of the radiation, with any wavelength shorter than some
- Even though the X-ray expose patient to harmful radiation it is used to see inside the human body and diagnose broken bones, gallstones and later tuberculosis.
According to The Yale School of Medicine, in 2012 4 million pediatric CT scans were performed. The American College and Dose Index Registry has made it their goal to “track and categorize the radiation given by CT scanners in U.S hospitals.” The Alliance for Radiation Safety in Pediatric Imaging is stressing, “one size does not fit all” (Goske, 2008). In order to reduce pediatric radiation dose during CT scans without reducing image quality one should “child-size the amount of radiation used, scan only when necessary, scan only the indicated organ and refrain from using multiphase scanning” (Goske, 2008).
Computed tomography (CT) is one of the most important tools in diagnostic imaging, but is it safe? While CT scanning is extremely accurate in its ability to image bone, blood vessels and soft tissue, a single CT scan subjects the human body to between 150 and 1,100 times the radiation of a conventional x-ray (Storrs, 2013). Since Robert S. Ledley invented the CAT-Scan in 1975, researchers have been working hard to determine if CTs may increases a patient’s risk of getting cancer due to the dramatic increase in radiation.
There are radioactive elements in the earth’s crust, and there are cosmic rays pelting your scalp. Your body can repair the damage almost all the time, but if you add a lot of excess radiation from a CT scanner, you increase your risks. Every CT results in a lifetime risk of cancer. About 2% of the total 1.7 million cancers in the US are thought to have been caused by diagnostic radiation. In this project I will explain how the radiation level in CTs affect the risks of getting cancer, how it effect the world today, and how doctors and phytologist are coming up with solutions to this
The journal article "Radiation Protection in Computed Tomography imaging" wrote by Jason Bond, R.T. (R). Radiologic Technology published the article in July/August 2016. In the article, the author addressed radiation protection methods in Computed Tomography Imaging. The author believes best CT image and achieve ALARA, require proper competency of the radiologic technologists and personnel. The author highlighted the importance of proper training, be familiar with dose-saving features and staying competency in lower radiation dose. The author stated the importance of lower radiation dose in Computed Tomography Imaging by comparing the chest CT exposure dose to a routine chest radiograph. "A routine chest radiography, for example, delivers a dose of approximately 0.02 mSv to the patient, whereas a chest CT delivers a dose of approximately 8 mSv, a 400-fold increase between the 2 modalities (Bond, July/ August 2016)." The author using qualitative data support and summarized the effective methods of radiation protection methods in Computed Tomography Imaging. The author using the recent reference to back up his hypothesis, all reference was chosen is within five years. The author concluded, to achieve
The expected benefits received from possible early and the ability to evaluate and properly treat diseases outweighs the potential radiation risk. Discuss the risks versus benefits of radiology treatment prior to having a CT or MRI with a physician, and explore whether possible alternative imaging methods may be available to diagnose the condition. Although risks are involved with each type of imaging the most important reason they are useful for diagnosing and treating illnesses is because the detection and treatment of disease and illness can save
A CT diagnostic scans different types of organs such as the heart, brain, and lungs. Doctors and physicians use this medical instrument in detecting diseases such as, “hemorrhages, tumors, and atrophy,” (Timberlake 171). Meaning, a CT scan helps identify the stages of a disease and how far along it has spread such as cancer. A CT scan works by a patient being placed in the tube of the CT machine. The beams from the x-ray go all around the patients body in “360 degrees,” (ASNR 1). As the beams pass through the body, different tissues absorb different amounts of an x-ray beam. During the x-ray, the tube and detectors are constantly
CT scanning is one of the most widely used digital imaging techniques, and it has many benefits. Though a CT scan typically costs more than an ultrasound, it is more sensitive in picking up soft tissue, blood vessels, and bone simultaneously, making it the preferred
Gamma radiation is a high frequency form of wave located to the far right of the electromagnetic spectrum. It is often associated with alpha and beta radiation. It is an ionizing radiation like the x-ray but it differs in its original.
Authors of the article “Computed Tomography – An Increasing Source of Radiation Exposure” commend the diagnostic advantages of computed tomography (CT), but declare there is evidence and concern of the discipline’s overuse in various patient populations, especially pediatrics. Of the “more than 62 million CT scans per year,” almost 16% of these exams are performed on children (David & Hall, 2007, para. 1). The article’s title and abstract clearly pinpoint the dilemma. With the rising number of CT procedures, the authors cause for concern is three fold: radiation doses received by the patient, cancer risks tied to ionizing radiation exposure and potential for latent effects in the general public (David & Hall, 2007). Unfortunately, the article’s abstract is lacking as it did not summarize what methodology is utilized or state a conclusion of the author’s findings.
Radiation can be defined in the simplest terms as “energy traveling through space” (Waltar, 2004). When an element from the periodic table has high energy, it sometimes sheds particles in order to get to a lower energy state. The different types of particles are alpha particles (a nucleus with two protons and two electrons) has the lowest energy, the next particle is called a beta particle (an electron), and the last physical particle is called a photon (a proton). Gamma rays (photons) can also be emitted from elements, gamma rays are not consisted of any
Have you ever had an X-ray? What about an ultrasound or a MRI? If you have, you have been exposed to one of healthcare’s most innovative technologies. All these tests come together to form the field of Medical Imaging. Medical imaging refers to the different technologies that are used to view the human body to observe, diagnose, and/or treat medical conditions. Medical imaging has played a major role in medicine for over the past one hundred years. Throughout this essay you will discover Medical Imaging and its huge impact on the health field.
Computed tomography, commonly known as CT or CAT scan, is a painless, non-invasive diagnostic tool that uses a specialized form of X-ray coupled with computer technology to produce cross-sectional images (slices) of soft tissue, organs, bone and blood vessels in any area of your body.
Eighty million CT scans are done each year in the U.S. alone according to CBS news. CT stands for computed tomography. CT was founded by Sir Godfrey Hounsfield and Dr. Alan Cormack more than three decades ago. CT scans can show little tiny problems as small as a grain of rice in the human body. Advances in computed tomography (CT) scans have made it easier for doctors to clearly see what is wrong and where to start when a person is sick, injured or in pain. Computed tomography scans are one of the most common tests used in doctors’ offices and hospitals along with dental offices as well. With the many types of CT scans that can be done; Doctors can diagnosis hundreds of different problems and illnesses. They can show things in the human body like dental problems, different types of cancer such as lung and rectal cancer, and cardiac problems like coronary artery disease.
History of Present Illness: Ms. Swenson is a very pleasant 87-year-old woman who I saw a couple of weeks ago for incidental finding of pleural plaques in the setting of known asbestos exposure. She has no significant complaints today. She states that she is going to the gym every morning to exercise. She denies any cough. She is here primarily for followup of her CT scan.