Understanding Medical Imaging: A Guide to X-Rays, CT scans & Ultrasound.

Medical Imaging: Stethcare Diagnostic Centre is committed to providing exceptional care, using the most advanced technology, Our team of medical specialists is committed to providing the highest standard of clinical excellence and is located in an environment that is compassionate and caring.

 StethCare Diagnostic Centre, the following tests are offered:

• X-ray
• Ultrasound
• CT scan

X-Ray:

They are a type of radiation. When traveling through your body, bones and other complex objects block radiation and appear white on the screen in the x-ray. Less dense tissues are difficult to discern as they appear Gray. Although a small amount of exposure to radiation through x-rays isn’t harmful, your physician will take extra precautions if you’re expecting.

The doctor will place the body part to be scanned between the digital x-ray scanner or photographic film and x-ray equipment. The device will send radiation through your body briefly; it is imperative to remain still.

The use of x-rays by doctors is to assess and diagnose:

• Bone degeneration or disease
• Dislocations
• Fractures
• Tumors
• Infections

Ultrasound:

The ultrasound system uses high-frequency sound waves to photograph your body’s inside part. The procedure involves applying a gel made of water before gliding an ultrasound transducer across the area to be scanned. The transducer transmits sound waves to the body, absorbing the echoing signals to create an image. The use of ultrasounds is usually in pregnancy. However, it can also detect and diagnose issues affecting the body’s organs and soft tissues.

“The images that ultrasound produces are improving every year while the process is also improving, which is why we are using it more and more often due to fears about radiation and contrast reactions. Ultrasounds can evaluate the thyroid gland and identify breast cancer.

Your physician may advise you to avoid eating or drinking (not consuming food or drinking for a certain amount) before your test or drink a predetermined amount of water to ensure your bladder is filled. The ultrasound procedure takes about half an hour and requires no anesthesia or medications.

Medical imaging is an effective instrument for diagnosing and detecting specific illnesses and diseases, and its benefits outweigh the risk. If you are concerned, discuss it with your doctor before undergoing any tests.

CT SCAN:

A CT scan produces high-quality, precise images of the body. It’s a more robust and more sophisticated x-ray, which captures an image of 360 degrees of the vertebrae, spine, and internal organs. You may have an injectable contrast dye in your bloodstream so that the doctor can observe the structures of your body more clearly in a CT scan.

An CT scan provides high-quality, detailed images of blood vessels, bones, soft tissue, and organs. It can assist the doctor in determining ailments such as:

• Appendicitis
• Cancer
• Trauma
• Heart disease
• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Infectious diseases

CT scanners are generally more expensive than x-rays and are often available at small or remote hospitals.