While a qualified doctor in Munster can diagnose any medical problem you have by learning about your symptoms, imaging is often required to better understand exactly what is going on inside your body. There are many medical imaging techniques available, including MRIs, X-rays, and ultrasounds, but CT scans are the most common and effective.

CT (short for Computerized Tomography) scans use X-ray beams and computer processing to provide doctors with detailed images of the patient’s bones, blood vessels, and soft tissues. These images give doctors a better understanding of what is going on within the patient’s body, which leads to a more accurate diagnosis.

Most people have heard of CT scans, but not everyone understands why someone might need one. So, if you have ever wondered whether you should get a CT scan at an imaging facility in Munster, Indiana, here are six reasons why you should:

1. You cannot get an MRI.

Not all imaging techniques are the same. There are also several factors that can limit the types of scans a patient can get at an imaging facility in Munster, Indiana. Although MRI and CT scans are similar in concept, there are a few elements that distinguish them, as well as a few reasons why doctors may choose one technique over another for a particular patient. CT scans are less sensitive to movement and take less time than MRIs, so if you have a medical condition or injury that prevents you from lying motionless or comfortably for a good hour, a CT scan may be the best option. This is also true if you have any medical device implant that prevent you from getting an MRI.

2. You need to have your blood vessels checked.

CT scans allow doctors to check your blood vessels without any exploratory surgery or a surgical biopsy — whether to look for signs of blockages in arteries or other issues. This can be highly beneficial for patients who require diagnostic testing for certain conditions, such as vascular diseases.

3. You have soft-tissue injuries.

Unlike X-rays, CT scans can provide highly detailed images of the soft tissue around your skeletal muscles. So, if you have a soft-tissue injury, the doctors at your imaging facility in Munster can use CT imaging to accurately diagnose the injury and offer a more suitable treatment plan.

4. You have a tumor that needs to be operated on.

CT scans are commonly used to assist surgeons in performing procedures such as biopsies, as they allow the doctor to confirm the presence of a tumor, its exact size and location, and the extent to which it has become involved with adjacent tissue.

5. You are undergoing cancer treatment.

Because CT scans provide highly detailed images, especially when imaging soft tissue, they help doctors plan and deliver radiation therapy (or radiotherapy) for patients with malignant tumors. CT scans can also help doctors monitor the patient’s response to certain treatments, as they can reveal whether cancer has spread, and if so, how far it has spread.

6. You have suffered a severe injury.

At most imaging facilities in Munster, Indiana, CT scans are the preferred imaging technique. This is because speed is very important in emergency situations. Patients who have been seriously injured in an accident, for example, may require a CT scan so that the doctor can promptly diagnose and treat any internal injuries.

Looking for Faster and More Efficient CT Scans? Visit the Premier Imaging Facility in Munster, Indiana

As the premier imaging facility in Munster, Indiana, NW Indiana ER & Hospital uses cutting-edge imaging and laboratory equipment, as well as effective procedures, to provide the most accurate diagnostic results. If you have any questions about what to expect during your CT scan in Munster, please do not hesitate to contact us at (219) 554-9911.