What are the risks and the benefits of the CT scan - Research Paper Example

? Section/# Risks and Benefits of the CT Scan Just as with any medical procedure, a CT scan, short for Computed Tomography Scan, has a noted level of benefits and risks that go alongside its use. In seeking to delineate these risks and benefits to a more complete degree, the following analysis will present them in a two-part research analysis. It is the hope of this author that such analysis will bring the reader to a more full and complete understanding of the CT scan and the applicability of engaging it for a variety of different health issues. Whereas it is nonetheless true that in certain instances the CT scan represents a greater risk than benefit, it should also be understood that the medical professionals who are responsible for prescribing it should keep these risks and benefits in mind and juxtapose them with the overall risk that the patient would face by not engaging in such a scan and/or level of understanding concerning the condition they may be suffering from. Firstly, with regards to the benefit to the CT scan can provide, the reader must be aware of the fact that an experienced radiologist can accurately diagnose many types of internal issues by reviewing the result of the CT scan with relative ease. Naturally, this has the benefit of the CT scan with regards to such scenarios it is rapid ability to diagnose key issues that would otherwise take a great deal of time to determine (Schmidt, 2012). Another benefit for the CT scan has with regards to alternative levels of analysis is with respect to the fact that the pain, inflammation, swelling, and ease of recovery from a CT scan is ultimately non-comparable to the other invasive types of exploration that have been exhibited throughout the past. Through allowing the patient not to have to undergo any further and unnecessary cutting, the CT scan offers a clear and definitive benefit as compared to the more invasive types of exploratory surgery (De Ruysscher et al., 2013). Moreover, CT scanning is painless and almost invariably allows for the patient to leave the hospital once the CT scan has been performed. Whereas many types of exploratory surgery are able to correctly identify what specifically is wrong with the internal workings of the individual, these types of scans/surgeries are invariably unable to image or discern bone, soft tissue, or blood vessel structure. However, the CT scan is fully able to delineate each of these and make accurate scans and determinations based upon how these results are read. Furthermore, unlike x-rays and many other types of scans, CT scans provide a very detailed image of the types of issues that may be evidenced within a given patient. In such a way, if a medical professional prescribes a CT scan as a means of drawing a conclusion with regards to an internal issue that might be evidenced, they stand a far higher likelihood of delineating any related issues that are found within this particular scan; without me to engage in a litany of other test/scans/explorations in order to come to the same determination (Ribeiro, 2012). Another market benefit that the CT scan has with respect to many of the other tests that exist is with regards to the fact that it is less sensitive to patient movement as compared to the MRI. Further, it can also be performed if an individual has any implanted medical devices; also unlike the MRI. The final benefit the must be discussed is with regards to the fact that unlike the MRI, the CT scan does not leave any leftover traces of radiation within the body of the patient. However, it must not be understood that the CT scan is not without an inherent level of risks. One of the first risks that must be discussed is with regards to the fact that there exists a slight chance of cancer from excessive exposure to radiation; such is exhibited within the CT scan. Naturally, this very small risk is oftentimes, and indeed invariably, outweighed by the fact that the CT scan is itself highly accurate and unlikely to cause cancer within the patient (Mayabi et al., 2013). However, if this concern is of a particular worry to the patient in question, an alternative route may need to be sought. Whereas many medical professionals are unaware of the overall radiation level that is CT scan provides, it can effectively be denoted with regards to the background radiation that individual might receive throughout the course of three entire years of their life (Jayaprakash, 2012). Naturally, such a high level of radiation at a single dose portends a certain and not insignificant danger. Another noted danger with regards to this rather rapid dose of radiation is with regards to a female patient who is or might potentially be pregnant. Another risk factor is with regards to nursing mothers. Nursing mothers should not allow their infants to obtain breast milk up to 24 hours after such a test has been performed; once again, due to the risk that the radiation may have with regards to the quality and toxic nature of the breast milk (Storrs, 2013). A final risk factor that will be discussed within this brief analysis is with regards to the fact that children under the age of 12 should not engage in a CT scan unless the scan itself has been determined to be fundamentally necessary for the preservation of life and/or help. Once again, the high-dose radiation in such a young informative/growing age engenders a specific risks with regards to elevated chances of cancer. As has been discussed, the CT scan, like any type of medical procedure, engenders a specific level of benefits and a specific level of risks. If these are engaged and understood by both the patient and the doctor, the overall threat to health is greatly reduced. It is the understanding of this particular author that as long as both parties are fully aware of the risks entailed and intent upon minimizing these at each and every opportunity, the CT scan can continue to be utilized as an effective medical procedure well into the foreseeable future. References De Ruysscher, D., Sharifi, H., Defraene, G., Kerns, S. L., Christiaens, M., De Ruyck, K., & ... van Elmpt, W. (2013). Quantification of radiation-induced lung damage with CT scans: The possible benefit for radiogenomics. Acta Oncologica,52(7), 1405-1410. doi:10.3109/0284186X.2013.813074 Jayaprakash, V., Loewen, G. M., Dhillon, S. S., Moysich, K. B., Mahoney, M. C., Yendamuri, S., & ... Reid, M. E. (2012). Early Detection of Lung Cancer Using CT Scan and Bronchoscopy in a High Risk Population. Journal Of Cancer Therapy, 3(4A), 388-396. doi:10.4236/jct.2012.324051 Mayabi, Z., Omrani, M., & Goldust, M. (2013). Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage; Findings of Primary CT-scan, Clinical Manifestations and Possible Risk Factors. Journal Of Medical Sciences, 13(2), 124-129. doi:10.3923/jms.2013.124.129 Ribeiro, F. (2012). CT scan: a benefit that may be evil. Brazilian Journal Of Otorhinolaryngology, 78(5), 2. Schmidt, C. W. (2012). CT Scans: Balancing Health Risks and Medical Benefits. Environmental Health Perspectives, 120(3), A118-A121. Storrs, C. (2013). DoCTScans Cause Cancer?. Scientific American, 308(7), 30-32. Read More