X-Rays aid doctors to peep inside a persons body to monitor injuries without undergoing any surgery.

Today x-rays are used in a variety of places like -: doctor clinics, hospitals, Nursing homes, airports etc..While taking an x-ray, a machine direct a beam of X-rays through our body part which is to be examined and then on to a special film. A picture of the body part is thus produced on the film.

A CT Scan is a more sophisticated method of using an X-ray. A fan shaped beam of X-ray passes through a slice of one’s body on to a panel of detectors, which then rotate around the body inside the machine. An image is formed by a computer on to a screen.

All these methods are extremely beneficial to patients and outweigh any small risk involved. X-rays may proof fatal over prolonged periods. They induce the formation of ions in the body thus damaging cells. Cells may repair themselves or may be partially or fully damaged and irreparable.

CT Scanning is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. To produce multiple images or pictures of the inside of the body. CT scans of internal organs, bones, soft tissue and blood vessels provide greater clarity and reveal more details than regular X-ray exam.

CT scans of body, can more easily diagnose problems of Brain, Chest, Lungs, Digestive system, Urinary systems, pelvic organs, cancer, cardiovascular disease, infectious disease, appendicitis musculoskeletal disorders, trauma and injury.

With the advent of multi-detector helical CT scan, the study usually takes 5-15 minutes. Time may vary if multiple studies are done at the same time. The length of the exam depends on the type of study being performed. Scan times vary from 5-15 minutes.

CT imaging is:

One of the best and fastest tools for studying the chest, abdomen and pelvis because it provides detailed, cross sectional views of all types of tissue. Often the preferred method for diagnosing many different Cancers, including lungs, liver and pancreatic, Cancer, since the image allows a physician to confirm the presence of a tumor and measure its size, precise location and the extent of the tumor’s involvement with other nearby tissue.

An examination that plays a significant role in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of vascular diseases that can lead to stroke, kidney failure or even death. CT is commonly used to assess for pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lung vessels) as well as for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA).

Invaluable in diagnosing and treating spinal problems and injuries to the hands, feet and other skeletal structures because it can clearly show even very small bones as well as surrounding tissues such as muscle and blood vessels.

In pediatric patients, CT is rare used to diagnose tumors of the lung or pancreas as well as abdominal aortic aneurysms. For children, CT imaging is more often used to evaluate:

• Lymphoma
• Neuroblastoma
• Congenital malformations of blood vessels
• Kidneys

Angiography is a minimally invasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. Angiography uses one of three imaging technologies and, in some cases, a contrast material to produce pictures of major blood vessels throughout the body.

Angiography is performed using:

• X-rays with catheters
• Computed tomography (CT)
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

CT imaging uses special X-ray equipment to produce multiple images and a computer to join them together in multidimensional views. In CT angiography (CTA), computed tomography using a contrast material is injected into peripheral vein to produce detailed images of both blood vessels and tissues.

CT angiography is used to examine blood vessels in key areas of the body, including the :

• Brain
• Kidneys
• Pelvis
• Legs
• Lungs
• Necks
• Abdomen

The test itself is completely painless. You will be asked to lie on the CT scanners “patient couch” during the study. Depending on the type of study being done, you may be injected with or be asked to drink contrast material. A contrast material is a chemical that blocks the x-rays and therefore outlines the organ or the blood vessels under study. This procedure may be uncomfortable because of the pain during injection or due to the taste in case of the drink.

CT scanners use X-Rays. For your safety, the amount of radiation is kept to an absolute minimum. However, because x-rays can harm a developing foetus, be sure to tell you doctor if you are pregnant while a CT Scan is being planned for you.

A CT scan/CAT scan is a term used to see inside your brain & other parts of the body and into areas that cannot be seen on regular X-rays. CT Scan produce multiple images or picture of the inside of the body. CT scans of internal organs, bones, soft tissue and blood vessels provide greater clarity and reveal more details than regular x-rays exams.

Please wear clothing that is comfortable & metal free (i.e., metal free bra, t-shirt, shorts or sweat pants). You may be given a gown to wear during the procedure. Metal objects including jewelry, eyeglasses, dentures and hairpins may affect the CT images and should be left at homes or removed prior to your exam. You may also be asked to remove hearing aids and removable dental work.

You may be asked not to eat or drink anything for several hours beforehand, especially if a contrast material will be used in your exam. You should inform your physician of any medications you are if you have a known allergy to contrast material, or other medical conditions, and if you have a history of heart disease, asthma, diabetes, kidney disease or thyroid problem. Any of these conditions may increase the risk of an unusual adverse effect.

Women should always inform their physician and the CT technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant.

There are two types of contrast used during routine CT procedures, oral and IV contrast. Oral contrast is a iodine based liquid you may be asked to drink in preparation to better see the stomach, small bowel and colon. Some individuals experience a sense of abdominal fullness and an increasing need to expel the liquid, the commonly used IV contrast is Iodine based. If IV contrast is necessary, you will be injected into a vein to better define and differentiate the blood vessels, organs, and abnormal tissue. The technologist will provide additional instructions regarding the IV injection.

New CT scanning machines are designed to expose to radiation only the small part of your body that is being examined. The amount of radiation you receive is comparable to the same amount you get for plain x-rays of the abdomen or spine. One of our goals for our CT scan is to expose you to as little radiation as possible and still get the images needed to make a diagnosis.

The Imaging Center utilizes Diagnostic CT shielding to reduce exposure to scattered radiation to our patients.

CT exams are generally painless, fast and easy. With helical CT, the amount of time that patient needs to lie still is reduced.

Though the scanning itself causes no pain, there may be some discomfort from having to remain still for several minutes. If you have a hard time staying still, are claustrophobic or have chronic pain, you may offer you a mild sedative to help you tolerate the CT scanning procedure.

If an intravenous contrast material is used, you will feel a slight pin prick when the needle is inserted into your vein. you may have a warm, flushed sensation during the injection of the contrast materials and a metallic taste in your mouth that lasts for a few minutes. Some patients may experience a sensation like they have to urinate but this subsides quickly.

A pregnant woman should not have a CT exam or any X-ray examination, especially if the woman is in her first trimester(first of three-3 month periods of pregnancy). Depending on the condition, there may be other exams available, such as ultrasound, to help diagnose a medical condition. Pregnant women should always inform their imaging technologist or radiologist that they are pregnant, or may be pregnant.

Soft-tissue details in areas such as the brain, internal pelvic organs, knee or shoulder can be more readily and clearly seen with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The exam is not generally indicated for pregnant women. A person who is very large may not fit into the opening of a conventional CT scanner.

You will be asked to drink a lot of water before the ultrasound scan. A full bladder pushes up your womb and this gives a better picture. You then lie on your back and a jelly is put on your abdomen. An instrument is passed backward and forward over your skin and high frequency sound is beamed through your abdomen into the womb. The sound is reflected back and creates a picture, which can be seen on a TV screen. It can be very exciting to see a picture of your baby before birth.

Your doctor will explain the picture to you. Your partner can come with you. Your partner can come with you and see the scan. Many couples find that this helps in making the baby feel real for them.

In 3D ultrasound you can find the three dimensional images of the scan from back to front at 360 degrees.

In 4D ultrasound you can see the moving images of the scan at 360 degree (live 3D). IN this type of scanning you will get the live movement of the images in front of your eyes on the screen which is a new revolution in this technology.

You can also take a CD-ROM of the study conducted. It may be wonderful to store it, in digital developed forms as a part of your baby’s album !

The scan is completely painless. Has no known side effects on the mothers or babies and can be done at any stage of pregnancy. It is absolutely safe.