“I am worried about my chest CT scan. Kindly explain.”
It has been a week since I have been suffering from a severe cough and heavy wheezing especially at night. The doctor has now advised me to undergo a chest CT scan. I am worried about this test. Could you please explain the procedure involved in conducting a chest CT scan.
2 Answers
CT CHEST INVOLVES UTILIZATION OF SCANNER, WHILE PATIENT IS TYPICALLY LAYING DOWN, USUALLY ON THE BACK BUT SOMETIMES ON THE STOMACH AS WELL; SCANNER USES X-RAYS FROM MULTIPLE ANGLES AT SAME TIME WHILE ROTATING AND COMPUTER COMPILES RECEIVED INFORMATION IN TO EXCELLENT DIGITAL PICTURE OF THE COMPONENTS OF THE THORACIC CAVITY; SCAN TIPICALLY TAKES ABOUT 10 MIN AND INVOLVES PERIODIC BREATH HOLDS FOR SHORT TIME.
A CT scan of the chest or computerized tomography is a radiological examination that allows one to see the chest and the inside contents much better than a regular chest X-ray can. The lungs and vessels can be seen in much more detail. It may or may not involve intravenous contrast to better highlight the chest structure. With all of the new scanners the whole test usually takes less than five minutes once you are on the table. Good luck!
