Exclusive article by Dennis Hung at EMRIndustry.com
Medical technology is constantly advancing, and new methods of diagnosis and treatment are being developed all the time. However, some people have legitimate concerns over the safety of some of these technologies, such as CT and MRI scans. Because they subject patients to radiation in the case of CT scans or magnetic fields with MRI, there are some potential risks to these procedures. Understanding them can help you to make an informed decision regarding your medical diagnostic treatment.
The Risks and Benefits of CT scans
When computerized tomography (CT) scans were first introduced in the 1970s, they were revolutionary. Although X-rays had been in use for nearly a century at the time, the CT scanners allowed data to be gathered from multiple X-rays simultaneously, providing unparalleled vision into the inner workings of the body. CT scans are invaluable in assisting doctors with establishing diagnoses. For patients who are sick and suffering, establishing a proper diagnosis quickly is imperative to ensuring that they receive proper treatment as soon as possible.
On the other hand, CT scans also pose a certain degree of risk. Although the radiation from a single exposure is not enough to cause harm, repeated scans are cumulative. Getting CT scans on a regular basis increases your risk of developing cancer. While there are times when CT scans can be crucial, they are sometimes unnecessary. If you are concerned about the potential health risks from repeated scans, talk to your doctor before agreeing to a CT scan. There are often other methods of achieving the same results.
What You Should Know about MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging, or MRI, is used to achieve similar results to a CT scan. MRI uses magnetism rather than radiation to take a scan, which makes it suitable for children or pregnant women for whom even small doses of radiation could prove dangerous. Like a CT scan, an MRI should not be conducted unless there is a legitimate medical need. However, the risks associated with MRI are significantly lower than with a CT scan.
Nevertheless, there are certain factors that can make MRI a bad option. For example, anyone who has a metal implant of any kind should not submit to an MRI, because the magnetic pull of an MRI is extremely powerful and could kill the patient. They can also cause pacemakers and similar devices to malfunction, which could prove very dangerous. However, new technology is being pioneered in this regard that is compatible with MRI technology and should reduce the risks of malfunction or other hazards.
Picture Archiving and Communicating System Technology
Picture archiving and communicating system (PACS) technology is a technology connected with imaging scanners such as MRI and CT. PACS do not conduct imaging scans directly, but they are able to correlate and store scans, images and data from multiple machines and across multiple databases. PACS are important because they serve as an archive database for your records. They also allow the transfer of image results to different medical institutions.
This is important because a PACS system protects your medical information and helps the doctor with treatment. By using PACS systems, your doctor can look back through old CT scans, comparing recent scans with older ones and potentially simplifying or speeding up the diagnostic process. If you are concerned about the frequency of CT scans, this is beneficial because it can potentially reduce the number of tests you have to take.
While image scanning technologies such as CT and MRI are not entirely risk-free, they are safe to use in most circumstances. It may not be prudent to undergo necessary scans, and talking with your doctor if you have concerns is a good course of action. Nevertheless, there is little reason to be overly concerned with the safety of imaging scanners.
