| When you suffer an injury to your neck or back, it | | | | their person (like buttons or zippers). This is because |
| simply does not do to just get a basic x-ray of it. | | | | the technology involved behind a CT scan is very |
| There could be damage that is done to the nerves | | | | sensitive, and the metal would lead to inaccurate |
| and tissues. So, your doctor will have you get a | | | | results. If the patient comes in with metal as part of his |
| procedure that provides far more detailed results. | | | | or her attire anyway, then the patient will be given a |
| Specifically, this procedure is known as a CT scan. It is | | | | medical gown. |
| similar to an x-ray in that it also uses the radiology to | | | | As for how long a CT scan takes, it depends on the |
| obtain its results, but other than that, it is more | | | | person and what is being scanned. The average scan |
| advanced. When a person gets a CT scan, the doctor | | | | takes about an hour. The patient will be asked to lie |
| is provided with a three-dimensional view of the area | | | | down on an examining table (with a pillow comfort) |
| that is being checked, via the actual scan, and the | | | | and then the table will be pushed back into the actual |
| computer software program that the scan results are | | | | machine. The patient is encouraged to be as still as |
| filtered into. | | | | possible, and once the scan is over, he or she can |
| On the day of the CT scan, the patient should come in | | | | resume their regular activities. |
| comfortably dressed, without any metal objects on | | | | |