When you have encountered a hard fall from your bicycle or have come across a mysterious rib pain that has been nagging continuously since morning, your family doctor usually recommends getting an image taken to study the internal condition. The conversation would more often than not involve finalising a choice between getting an X-ray or a CT scan. Since both procedures make use of radiation to depict the internal structure for analysis, there is often a healthy confusion as to why one would be preferred over the other.
Knowing the difference between the two can help you stay relaxed at the clinic as well as help you prepare yourself for the kind of results you will be getting.
How Do They Work?
Both procedures involve making use of radiation to capture images of the internal structure. However, they differ when it comes to specifications:
X-Ray: In this procedure, the machine makes use of a beam of radiation to pass through the body. Hard body tissues such as the bones reflect radiation, causing them to appear white in the image. Soft tissues and gases allow radiation to pass through them depicting them in grey or black.
CT-Scan: Unlike the X-Ray, a CT-Scan works by capturing a series of images from multiple angles around the body. The patient lies down on a bed that moves horizontally through a doughnut-shaped scanner. An X-Ray beam runs around the body, depicting a cross-section of the internal structure. The machine then makes use of a computer to compile a three-dimensional image of the internal structure.
Key Difference: Choosing between a CT Scan and an X-Ray
It is up to your doctor to decide which procedure to go with depending on the following factors:
1.Time And Cost
X-Ray: The procedure is quick, simple, and affordable due to its availability on a larger scale. It is widely available in every healthcare setup, including emergency wards.
CT-Scan: Since the procedure involves complicated machinery and needs a lot of processing to deliver accurate results, it ends up being both time-consuming and expensive.
2. Radiation Exposure
X-Ray: Since the radiation is only exposed for a fraction of a second, the exposure level is very low.
CT-Scan: Since the machine has to rotate around the body, capturing images at multiple angles, the radiation exposure is found to be higher.
3. Diagnostic Value And Application
X-Ray: The procedure is best used for simple diagnostic purposes such as identifying a fractured bone, dislocated joints, dental problems, or respiratory issues like pneumonia.
CT-Scan: The procedure is best suited for complex diagnostic purposes that might involve identifying hairline fractures, internal bleeding after an accident, identifying tumours, and blood clots.
Where to Get An Advanced CT Scan in Pune?
When your doctor recommends a CT scan for you, it is best to visit a well-reputed diagnostic clinic that has been recognised for its advanced technology and expert professionals. In a city like Pune, there are a number of medical facilities that are in direct contact with a network of medical service providers to ensure a price-worthy experience.
Krsnaa Diagnostics, for instance, has a wide range of clinics in various parts of Pune, including Sutar Hospital in Kothrud and Kamla Nehru Hospital in Mangalwar Peth, to help you find the nearest diagnostic center. With a strong foundation of NABL- and NABH-accredited labs, Krsnaa Diagnostics offers CT scans that use a combination of advanced equipment and affordable pricing to ensure that your experience is top-notch.
How To Choose The Right Scanning Procedure?
There is no need to panic when the doctor asks you to either go for a CT scan or an X-Ray. Your physician will be able to determine your case and pick the one that suits you best. Whether it is a simple injury or a complicated internal problem, you can always rest assured that modern medicine has advanced enough to get you accurate results without breaking the bank.
