Facing a CT Scan? Think About Radiation

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I am asymptomatic after an initial diverticulitis attack. My dr. is insisting I get a second scan because the first scan I received in ER detected a pericardial effusion. I am refusing the scan. He said it is the only way to go and if I don't get it, I cannot be his patient. I am, naturally, seeking a second opinion. I read that pericardial effusions often accompany infections (like diverticulitis, I'd guess), so I am going to be optimistic and wait for a second opinion to see if ultrasound, xray, mri, and/or thorough bloodwork and urinalysis will be just as diagnostically valuable. Any thoughts?

lenore baeli wang of NM 6:18PM May 20, 2011

LOOK - I am so tired of hearing this rethoric. I was overdosed by a Brain Perfusion CAT SCAN at Huntsville Hospital in Alabama. Doctors know nothing about over radiation, so why comment unless you know something. I was overdosed , receiving 6 Gry and have been suffering for 19 months with neuropathy, headache, cognitive problems and nausea among other symptoms. I did not have these problems prior to the CAT Scan and previously had no brain injury. It is pretty obvious what has caused my problems and it is obvious I have been harmed. Everyone knows that Cat scans are necessary at times. We are not stupid, but overdosed which continue to occur across the country are. It could happen to you! Doctors continue to cover for other doctors. No integrity!! There is much data now about those of us who have been overdosed.

Becky of AL 2:52PM April 09, 2011

Radiation exposure is not a concern to me if it will help me diagnose an illness. When diagnosing an illness, time is of the essence and the faster a diagnosis can be made, the faster a cure or remedy can be administered.
If a CT Scanner can help quicken the process, then I am all for it.
Here is a link to some helpful CT Scanner Resources
http://www.nationwideimaging.com

Christina of NJ 3:34PM February 14, 2011

Six years ago I found out that I had kidney stones because I had terrible pain and went to the Emergency Care. After waiting in pain for what seem like an eternity I got shot for pain and was rolled into get a CT Scan. I then later had lithotripsy to crush the stones. I never did my follow-up x-ray after the lithotripsy. To date I went back to my urologist and asked to do the follow-up, because I suspected that I had stones again. So I got an X-ray and the DR said that it doesn't show enough detail and to get a ultrasound. I go and get an ultrasound and the DR says there are stones, but it doesn't show enough detail and we should order a CT scan.
Guess what I think of all that? I am done and I will get a CT scan if I am on the ground in pain...the same way I ended up getting a CT scan the last time.

K of MI 2:11PM November 30, 2010

a minner gets 50msv a year and they are ok

jim of 2:45AM November 21, 2010

ive had 5 ct scans how bad is that i dont want to get cancer

jim 7:55PM November 01, 2010

Sorry to tell you this but sometimes treatment relies heavily on CT because it gives you better care. For example, if you have an intracranial hemorrhage (bleed in the brain) serial CTs are standard of care. Not only is image quality better than in MRI, but they are faster, cheaper (oftentimes by several thousand dollars PER scan), and more widely available.

Matt of PA 4:38PM September 14, 2010

@smudge: person who undergoes cat scan or x-ray cannot be "emitting" radiation. the "emitted" radiation comes only in the form of alpha, beta or gamma rays, non of which are involved in xrays or cat scans. the radiation from xrays is absorbed but cannot be emitted. i guess you were joking....

max of CA 2:23PM August 16, 2010

I just found a guy in a bar who had just had a "contrasted" CAT scan. I found him with a radiation detector. When held against his arm, he was emitting 12mRems/hour... roughly 5000 times background.

scott jennings of CA 2:03AM August 04, 2010

Always ask for a MRI even if it dosn't show up as clear results for your test and costs more money, its well worth it compared to a CT scan.
BUT if you have to have a CT scan, try to get as little as possible, if the doctor ordered 2 CT scans, ask the radiologist if he can perform both scans in one scan and reconstruct the rest of the image. Keep radiation exposure to a minimum. The theory really is this, once you have a CT scan, you should never have another one again in your life time. One is enough! The rest you can do through MRI's.
Its true CT scans bring better images then MRI's for certain parts of the body, but if you can have a MRI id rather you pay more money up front then pay in life years down the line.

Chris V of NY 8:27PM February 19, 2010