Whether to confirm or rule out a diagnosis, your doctor may need diagnostic imaging, such as a computed tomography (CT) scan. Michigan Neurology Associates & PC, a full-service practice with offices throughout the Metro Detroit area in Clinton Township, St. Clair Shores, and Utica, Michigan, offers on-site CT scans so you can get an accurate diagnosis more quickly. To learn more about whether a CT scan can help you, schedule an appointment at the nearest office online or by phone today.
A CT scan, also sometimes referred to as a CAT scan, is a noninvasive diagnostic tool that uses sophisticated X-ray and computer technology to generate images of specific areas of your body at different angles. Essentially, a CT scan creates multiple cross-sectional pictures that provide more information about the internal workings of your body than a simple X-ray.
The advanced imaging tool can generate images of your bones, soft tissue, internal organs, and blood vessels. The experienced physicians at Michigan Neurology Associates & PC use the imaging to formulate a diagnosis, determine if there’s a need for surgery, or assess the effectiveness of other treatments.
Your specialist at Michigan Neurology Associates & PC determines if you need a CT scan after a consultation. The team may recommend the diagnostic test to:
The CT scan is a safe diagnostic tool and can be used to create images of any part of your body.
A CT scan is a noninvasive test that takes about 30 minutes to complete. The team at Michigan Neurology Associates & PC recommend you wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing when you come in for your CT scan. You also need to remove all metal jewelry, hairpins, dentures, and eyeglasses, as the metal may distort the imaging.
The CT scanner itself looks like a big box with a short tunnel in the center. During your CT scan, you lie on an examination table that slides in and out of the tunnel. This process is relatively quick and universally well tolerated. You may be asked to hold your breath at times during your scan.
If contrast dye is needed to get a better picture of the area in question, it’s swallowed, injected through an intravenous line, or given as an enema prior to your scan. There’s no downtime following a CT scan, so you can go right back to your usual activities afterward. If you need contrast, the specialists at Michigan Neurology Associates & PC recommend you drink plenty of fluids to help your kidneys flush it out. If dye allergies are a factor, a steroid prep may be in order to avoid a reaction.
Your images are then reviewed by your Michigan Neurology Associates & PC physician and they discuss the findings with you.
A CT scan is a noninvasive diagnostic test that provides valuable information. To learn more about this diagnostic tool, call Michigan Neurology Associates & PC or book an appointment online today.
