Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with CTscan

What's a CT scan like?

corey flood — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 00:04:17 -0800

What happens when you have to get a CT scan of the kidneys? Right now I'm being treated for a kidney infection and have promised my doctor that if any of the symptoms get worse, I would go straight to the emergency room for a CT scan and IV. Just in case things do get worse, what actually happens when you get a CT scan? It would take a lot of stress off my mind to know what to expect in the event that I do have to go to the ER.

Thanks. And for the record, yes, I am taking antibiotics and have gotten a shot to jump-start the fight against the infection.

Best prep for KUB X-ray for kidney stone?

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 06:45:14 -0800

How can I maximize the odds of a KUB X-ray seeing my kidney stone? Do I drink lots of water? Fast? Avoid foods that lead to gas? I have a kidney stone in my upper ureter (verified by CT scan). It did not show up on a KUB X-ray. I'm going for a followup KUB X-ray in a few weeks. I would like to maxmize the chances that the stone will show up in the KUB so that I do not have to follow up with a CT.

Now, I know the stone may be transparent to X-rays (radiolucent). What I'm trying to minimize is that my bowels will obstruct the X-ray and hide the stone. I've read that stools and gas can block the stone from view. Should I do anything about this? Are there other things that can occlude the X-Ray that I should know about?

I know that you are not my doctor, etc. However, if you have advice on how to maximize the odds that a stone will show up, fire away. Bonus points if you can point me to a radiology text or similar that explains what a patient should do to prep for the exam.

In case it makes a difference, based on the CT the stone is approx 4.5mm. As far as I know no assessment has been performed for the kind of stone.

Thank you.

PS. I want to maximize the odds of the KUB finding the bugger because it will increase the odds that my doc will be able to use the external shock-wave thing to fragment it, assuming it's moved a bit lower in my ureter, and also it will let me avoid the higher dose of radiation I'd get from a CT.

PPS. I know you are not my doc. I would ask my doc, but he's got poor communication skills and so I'd rather find pointers to authoritative material, or advice that will lead me there.

Should I get a CT scan for coronary artery disease?

feelinggood — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:54:00 -0800

Should I get a CT scan for coronary artery disease or atherosclerosis? My cardiologist wants me to have a CT scan , but after reading this, this, and an article in Consumer Reports on Health March 2007 entitled "Angioplasty: Resist the rush", I am skeptical. BACKGROUND
Note: I live in Toronto (Canada) so neither cost nor a private health plan is an issue here. [Doctor or clinic profit may be.]

I am a 63-year-old male in good health, 5' 7" and 190 lbs, with a 36" waist.
January 2007: routine ECG showed a 3 mm depression in the ST segment. I had no symptoms.
March 2007: blood tests, an echocardiogram, and a perfusion MRI stress test showed that I had "a 70% chance of a 70% blockage" in the left anterior descending artery (LAD). During the stress test I felt a tightness in my chest, as if my rib cage was not big enough for my lungs.
The cardiologist recommended an angiogram and probably a stent. I refused and opted for treatment by exercise and diet.
May 2008: the above tests repeated. Now only a 1.5 mm depression in the ST segment. No symptoms except the tightness during the stress test.

The CT scan seems to me inadvisable for two reasons: 1) it can't tell whether my plaque is going to dislodge or not; and 2) it's the equivalent of about 400 chest x-rays.

Preliminary question: do I have angina (variously described on the internet as ranging from "severe chest pain" to "discomfort")? No one will give me an unequivocal face-to-face answer.

Big question: Should I have the CT scan?

The big a-ha! : I'm afraid to tell the cardiologist I don't want the scan. After all, he's the expert and I read only the NY Times, Life and Consumer Reports; it doesn't seem to be a fair match. Also, I have a feeling that no other cardiologist out there would disagree with him.

(Can anyone recommend a non-invasive, non-interventionist, evidence-based-medicine cardiologist in the GTA?)

Should I go get the CT scan or not?

mygothlaundry — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 19:46:56 -0800

Should I go get the CT scan or not? I've had a stomachache for 10 days and my doctor thinks it might be my appendix; the blood tests are all negative; should I still go through with this? I've been having bad stomach pains for 10 days now. Actually, I've kind of had them on and off for about a month, but they settled in 10 days ago and haven't gone away. Yesterday, I finally caved in and went to the doctor (OB/Gyn.) She checked out all my girlie bits & kidneys and they're fine. She thought it was very possibly my appendix getting ready to go. So she gave me a bunch of blood tests, a pain prescription (which I didn't fill) and an appointment for an abdominal CT scan tomorrow. She wanted to do it today but I was looking at a huge day at work and refused. The CT test involves fasting after midnight and then drinking 2 giant jars of barium dye and being in a machine for 2 hours or so. I'm sure it's insanely expensive.

The blood tests came up negative for everything. There's no high white blood cell count, my liver is healthy, I don't have any diseases, my cholesterol couldn't be better and, well, my blood is a vampire's perfect wet dream.

My stomach still hurts, but not as badly. I don't feel well, but I feel okay - as in, I can eat, poo, sleep and walk around: I just don't enjoy much of any of it since my stomach hurts. I want to cancel the test tomorrow. Partly because I just don't want to do it, being afraid of such things and partly because I'm afraid that my insurance (BCBS, NC version) won't pay for it when they learn that my blood is all healthy. I tried to get my doctor's office to find out whether or not they would pay for it all day to no avail. In addition, my mother told me tonight that one of her cousins had a chronic appendix that flared up now and then for 40 years before it blew. I don't want to have surgery unless I'm dying, frankly, so if this is just going to quietly go away, well, hell. And maybe it's a virus?

But on the other hand, 10 days is a long time to have a migrating, moving, usually just bearable but occasionally really. fucking. painful. stomachache. So what do I do? Get the CT scan or cancel it?