How much harm will a CT scan do to the human body? Who cannot have CT examination?
CT is one of the most common items in medical examination. Many people are worried that CT radiation will be harmful to health and may even cause cancer. But is CT really such a big threat to health? Who cannot have CT examination?
What is a CT examination?
CT has become quite popular in our country, and its full name is electronic computed tomography. It is a digital radiological diagnostic equipment. At present, CT can be divided into plain CT and enhanced CT according to the examination method. Plain CT is a CT that can be done without creating contrast agent, and enhanced CT is a CT that is done by injecting contrast agent into the vein. In addition, further improvements based on plain CT or enhanced CT can be divided into CT vascular imaging, CT three-dimensional reconstruction, etc.
How much harm will a CT scan do to the human body?
The high-energy particle X-rays used by CT can penetrate the human body and also damage the cell function and metabolism in the body. However, if the dose is not large, the human body can repair itself if it produces short-term effects, so a CT scan is not very harmful to the human body. However, large doses of X-rays can damage genes and produce harmful biological effects on hematopoiesis, reproduction, inheritance, growth and development, hormone regulation, etc., including carcinogenic effects.
However, after receiving only one CT irradiation, it is very difficult for normal cells to develop into cancer cells through layers of small-probability mutations. Moreover, many experiments have confirmed that the probability of cancer caused by a CT scan is quite low.
Who cannot have CT examination?
Although CT examination is widely used and the diagnostic results are more accurate, not everyone is suitable for CT examination, such as the following groups:
1. Couples preparing for pregnancy or women during pregnancy or lactation
Pregnant women undergoing CT examination can easily affect the normal development of fetal nerves and organs. CT scans for couples preparing for pregnancy or breastfeeding women will also have certain effects.
2. People with low immunity such as infants and young children
CT contains radiation, and people with low immunity are more susceptible to the effects of radiation.
3. People allergic to iodine contrast media
Enhanced CT examination requires the use of contrast media (containing iodine), which can easily cause allergies.
4. People with renal and hepatic insufficiency
The contrast agent used in enhanced CT affects the excretion function of the kidneys, which can easily increase the burden on the kidneys and cause kidney disease.
5. People with thyroid disease
The iodine in contrast media can aggravate thyroid disease and cause serious consequences.
If special groups of people must undergo CT examination, they must consult a doctor first and proceed according to the doctor’s guidance to avoid physical damage.
What are the differences between MRI and CT?
MRI generally refers to MRI. The difference between MRI and CT lies in the imaging principle, indications, radiation hazards, etc.
1. The principle of nuclear magnetic resonance imaging is to use the atomic nuclei in the human body and the pulse magnetic field of the instrument to generate magnetic resonance to achieve the purpose of imaging. CT is composed of X-ray beams that pass through the body and are clearly displayed on a computer to diagnose diseases.
2. MRI indications are mainly suitable for diagnosis of soft tissues, hip joints, central system and other locations. CT is mainly suitable for the diagnosis of bone fractures, craniocerebral trauma, various tumors and other diseases.
3. The radiation hazards of different MRIs generally pose no radiation hazard to the human body. CT will cause certain radiation damage to the human body.
