The Pros And Cons Of A Full Body Scan

By David Lee


This refers to a process where in the entire body of a patient will be scanned. This is an important part during the treatment and diagnosis of illnesses. This is referred as a full body CT scan if the technology used is computed tomography during scanning. Also, there are some other technology types used for imaging as well. This is considered also as one common procedure used by many but the results may be some complications and risks.

If compared to the other types of imaging procedures, CT scans have the result of a higher exposure in radiation. This exposure often is associated in having small increases in cancer risk. In full body scan, there are a series of taken images of pelvis, abdomen, lungs, and heart of patients. Specifically, the images are very thin and the forms are like some cross sectional slices inside the bodies. When reassembling these slices by the use of computer, the doctors can be able to see a detailed view of tissues, bones, and organs.

Full body scanners are devices which are used in this procedure of scanning. The image to be seen in the monitor may depend on the type of technology. The image may either be an image of alternate wavelength of a naked body or may be a cartoon like image of a person. The scanners can detect objects which are non metal unlike the metal detectors.

The following are some of the benefits of these scans. First is making sense for the symptoms. The body scans are generally considered to be one helpful way when diagnosing some specific diseases and some abnormalities of the person. Also, these are the excellent aids to verify the location, existence, and size of tumors, bone and muscle disorders can be detected, and as well as aneurysms and other injuries.

However, there are still no scientific evidences that demonstrate the effectiveness of computed tomography scans for the detection of diseases. And therefore, the administration for food and drugs has not yet approved this as one general tool for screening until now. Another detection information which the scan can tell if the calcium amount in the arteries.

Because of this information, doctors can be able to tell about the calcifications in the arteries which can indicate if the person have cardiovascular diseases. Aside from a CT scan which is very expensive, people may not need to pay for this anymore because of the new alternatives. These cheaper alternatives are heart and the coronary calcium scan. Scans such as the computed tomography is considered as one effective detecting device for lung and colon cancers based on an on going research.

However, the technologies have also some disadvantages. Very common health problems cannot be detected like diabetes or hypertension. The feet, head, and legs are not scanned, and thus, some problems are not determined. Lastly, it is not that reliable than the traditional techniques for screening like finding cervical cancer and breast cancer.

Faulty results. At times, the not dangerous growth and lesions are detected like the scar tissues. With this, further testings are needed by the person to obtain clear results.

Yielding negative results. The results are sometimes clean though you really have some health problems. Just like not detecting the common diseases such as hypertension and small cancer tumors.




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