In the world of diagnostic procedures, medical imaging is a very important and a widely used technique. The scans show the anatomy and status of your organs as well as bodily functions. Most of these techniques are non-invasive and can yield fine imageries of internal activities of your body – i.e., those hidden beneath your skin, tissues and bones. Most commonly used medical imaging techniques are x-rays, ultrasound and CT scan. Of these, CT scan has gained immense popularity over the last few decades. This scan can offer a whole body view and sectional views, as needed to understand your medical condition. A full body exposure is not widely recommended frequently due to risks of radiation. This scan may also trigger a few other undesired side effects. It hence becomes essential to know more about such side effects before going for it.
In the early 1970s, the computed tomography (CT) scan was launched for medical imaging purposes. Ever since its introduction, this approach has become an accepted standard for diagnosis of several medical conditions. It has also made firm inroads into timely detection of a few autoimmune conditions such as cancers in your colon, likely risks of cardiac health problems, etc. In the US, the number of scans has crossed 85 million each year. Typical uses of CT scan include imaging of head to infer incidence of cancers, detect likely loss of blood due to hemorrhage, early detection of risks of strokes, etc. CT scan can also identify risks of cancers in the thyroid region; scanning of the neck area is known to reveal such hidden risks.
This scan has a generator of x-ray radiation with receptors of such rays in the opposite direction. These rays are passed through the scanned object or human body; based on the density of tissues radiation is weakened (also called as attenuation). In order to obtain high-resolution outputs, needful contrasting medium is used. Most contrasts are based on iodine and they help highlight intricate structures like vessels or capillaries, etc. In essence, the contrast medium enables finer differentiation of the scanned area / organ from the tissues surrounding it.
Dosage levels of radiation
In general, the scan can be used to detect anomalies in any part or organs. It is a painless procedure without any interventions. It is also a relatively faster procedure. CT scan is done at a healthcare setting like a clinic or a hospital. It is important not to consume fluids or eat solid foods for several hours prior to the scanning activity. The scan is now widely used to detect tumors, fracture, internal bleeding, heart disorders as well as injuries sustained within.
Resolution of images obtained from CT scan is very high – as compared with many other scanning techniques. The ability to isolate superimposing internal structures is also more pronounced with this scan. For instance, modern developments such as CT-based angiographies are possible due to its high-level of resolution. The scan uses relatively high dose radiations; hence, whole body scanning is not recommended. But, not all exposures are based on high-dose radiations. The strength of dose depends on multiple aspects such as structure of the patient’s body, types of scans, number of scans needed, volume to be scanned, quality of resolution, etc.
Side effects of CT scan
X-rays use radiations at very low strengths. On the other hand, CT scan may use doses at least 125 times more than x-rays. In some very remote instances, the strength of radiations has reached 950 times more than those used for x-rays. One salient risk associated with CT scan is the likelihood of cancers, impairment of DNA, etc. These risks are often quite low; some empirical studies show that autoimmune conditions like cancers may occur one in several-thousand cases. Also, the risks tend to get stacked-up each time you go for an additional scan.
A few abdominal discomforts may arise soon after a CT scan. The most common among such gastric discomforts are nausea and urges to throw up. Pains are more common when the contrasting dye has barium in it. In some rare instances, people who took barium have reported difficulties to pass stool (i.e., constipation). If nausea as well as vomiting is very acute, your treating physician may administer needful doses of antiemetic drugs. In case of a severe loss of electrolytes or salts, your medical team may provide supplementary fluids intravenously.
Pregnant women must stay away from using this scan. Exposure to CT scan during pregnancy can harm your fetus. Birth defects in newly born infants have been observed in some instances. Medical imaging requirements of women who are pregnant are largely met through techniques that do not require radiations. For example, pregnant women are advised to take ultrasonography (or, ultrasound); such procedures are done strictly under the supervision of a trained diagnostic professional. Children are more vulnerable to risks associated with radiations of CT scans. So, every time your child is asked to go for a scan, it is important to ensure that the radiations are adjusted to suit your child’s tender tissues.
In most circumstances, people who had an exposure of CT scan experienced anxieties or fears. These feelings are mostly related to uncertainties associated with diagnostic protocols as well as the final results of the scan. As a related side effect, a sizable percentage of people experienced claustrophobia. This is mainly due to spending time in an enclosed scanning area. However, a few modern versions of the scan are manufactured with relatively lesser enclosures; such models help reduce needless phobias and anxieties relating to the scanning process.
Allergic to contrasting dye
The dye is used to reveal finer details and render higher resolution to intricate structures. The contrasts used are made of barium (sulfate) or iodine. It is administered either through oral means or as a shot. Oral intake of the contrast is mainly for scanning of your gastrointestinal tract or to trace the path of foods inside your digestive system. Shots of contrast are usually given into a vein; this helps with rendering better image quality to your arteries / veins, liver, urinary tract as well as gallbladder. In some one-off instances, the contrast may also be taken inside the rectum; this practice is required if your intestines need to be scanned.
Prior to the administration of the contrasting dye, you need to inform your medical team if you are allergic to sea-based foods, barium or iodine. Allergies caused by contrasts are often very mild in nature; they may show up as rashes on skin or itchiness. Your diagnostic team may monitor your health condition for some time soon after the completion of a CT scan. Your doctor will also advise intake of a lot of fluids. This enables an easy discharge of contrasting medium from your system. In extremely remote cases, contrasting dyes have triggered a few renal health problems. The typical symptoms include increased discharge of urine, altered viscosity of your urine or a marked increase or decrease of the diameter (i.e., dilation / constriction) of blood carrying vessels of your kidneys. Hence, it is essential to tell your physician about renal disorders prior to taking the contrasting dye.
In some rare instances, a small segment of people have experienced severe spells of anaphylaxis; this is characterized by respiratory problems (such as internal obstruction which may result in wheezing or gasping), extreme episodes of drowsiness or dizziness, inflammation of oral organs such as lips, tongue or throat, itchiness or rashes.
Your medical team may use drugs to minimize allergic reactions for people who have prior hypersensitivity or any known medical conditions such as bronchitis or asthma. Your doctor may also advise not to take a few renal-care drugs for a few days prior to the day of your scan. In some cases, your physician may use bare minimal doses of contrast to avoid likely incidence of adverse side effects or undesired reactions.
Prior medical conditions and intake of select drugs
People living with conditions like diabetes or with pronounced variations in blood sugar will need to inform their doctor about such medical conditions. Also, intake of a few drugs – especially, meds like metformin – must be communicated well ahead of the CT scan procedure. Metformin is a widely used diabetic drug; its use is recommended to people who are obese or overweight. This drug is mainly prescribed for the treatment and case management of type 2 diabetes. Metformin is also used to treat women who live with a few ovarian conditions – for example, polycystic ovarian condition / syndrome. You may need to remember that metformin is given along with antidepressant drugs as well as antipsychotic meds to prevent weight gain.
In general, it is a good practice to seek needful clarifications from your treating physician about the likely risks and side effects of CT scan. The most important queries to be posed are – (a) is there an alternative way – i.e., apart from CT scan – to diagnose your medical condition? (b) Is there a need for more scans in the near future? (c) How safe is it for your children? In general, children are more vulnerable to risks because division of cells as well as growth are more acute among younger adults and children. If DNA or your building blocks are affected by the ionizing rays of CT scan, they may show up in the form of autoimmune conditions like cancers. It is important to note that other diagnostic procedures like positron emission tomography (also known as PET-scan) and x-rays are also sources of ionizing rays / radiations. PET-scans employ radioactive compounds as tracers to diagnose abnormalities in blood vessels, metabolic activities, etc.
Above all, it is important to remember that your physician has recommended a CT scan because its benefits clearly outstrip the risks involved. An established way to prevent likely incidence of side effects is to minimize your exposure to CT scan. You may have to take needful assistance from your doctor to minimize the risks and adverse reactions of CT scan. The side effects associated with CT scan include nausea, vomiting, headaches, anxieties, damages to fetus (among women who are pregnant) and a few autoimmune conditions like cancers. Additional precautions are needed when children are exposed to CT scans; younger adults and children are more sensitive to the radiations than fully-grown adults. It is a good practice to talk to your doctor prior to the scan and explore the availability of alternative diagnostic mechanisms – especially for children and teens.
Education: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from New York University. Experience: 5 years of experience writing for physiotherapy and sports medicine blogs, providing expert insights on injury prevention and rehabilitation.
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