Chest scan

Computerized Tomography (MDCT) is a scanner diagnostic that allows you to create a series of scans of bones, blood vessels, and soft tissue from different angles or cross sections using x rays. CT is a fast, painless, non-invasive and precise method. CT is an imaging method that enables the detection of causes of persistent cough, shortness of breath, chest pain or high temperature. CT chest is a gold standard in the diagnosis of lung cancer and allows early detection of lung cancer.

WHY IT IS DONE/ INDICATIONS

• MDCT chest is used to: detect abnormalities in the chest that are found on the X-ray; detection of the cause of symptoms and signs of various diseases of the organ in the chest, such as: cough, shortness of breath, chest pain or fever; detection and evaluation of tumor growth or other structures in the chest, planning of air therapy; detection of an organ injury in the chest (heart, blood vessels, lungs, ribs and spine), detection of abnormalities found on fetal ultrasound.

• Scanning of the chest shows various lung diseases, such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, inflammation or other pulmonary disease, interstitial or chronic lung disease or congenital abnormalities.

• MDCT thoracic can be of great help in the early detection of lung cancer in long-lasting passionate smokers.

HOW IT IS PERFORMED?

• Scanner diagnostic machine is a large machine in the shape of a donut which ends are open. You will lie on a bed that moves to the machine itself.

• The one you lie on is moving to the machine and the machine rotates around it afterwards. Each rotation of the machine allows you to create an image from different angles and display different body sections. Every rotation of the machine is followed by the most common noise.

• The health worker will be in a separate room next to you, so he will be able to hear and see you. You will be able to communicate with a healthcare professional if necessary. If necessary, a healthcare professional will ask you to breathe in the air to allow for a clear picture to be made.

POTENTIAL RISKS

• During MDCT scanning, you will be exposed to a certain amount of radiation (more than during classic X-ray shooting, because scanner captures more detailed information). The amount of radiation you will be exposed to does not lead to serious complications.

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, because radiation during this scanning can damage the fetus.

• The contrast medium used during CT scanning may cause an allergic reaction or some other adverse reaction. Most commonly, there are mild allergic reactions that manifest themselves as itch or redness. Tell your health care staff if you have a known allergic reaction to a contrast agent.

PREPARATION

• You are not permitted to wear any metal objects, belts, jewelry, glasses or prosthesis during scanning.

• You may not eat or drink a few hours before scanning.

• Depending on which part of the body the CT scanner image is, depending on the way the contrast medium is applied (if needed). The contrast medium can be drunk if it is planned to shoot the esophagus or stomach. The contrast of the contrast medium may be unpleasant; If it is planned to take organs such as the gall bladder, liver, various blood vessels or organs of the urinary system, it may be necessary to give a contrast medium to the vein (intravenous), which can be caused by a feeling of heat spreading through the body or metal taste in the mouth; If it is necessary to shoot the rectum, the contrast agent is put directly into the rectum after cleaning the bowel.

• When performing CT scanning for children, it is usually necessary to administer tranquillizers (sedatives) in order to keep the child quiet during the shooting. Child movements can lead to the creation of blurry images, which makes the test results may be incorrect.

AFTER SCANNING

• You can return to your normal daily activities immediately after the test.

• If you have a contrast medium, it is very important that you drink plenty of fluids after shooting, in order to get the contrast agent out of the body as soon as possible.