Lung CT scan: What you need to know

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted with Specialist Doctor I Nguyen Dinh Hung - Radiologist - Department of Diagnostic Imaging - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.
And Master, Doctor Nguyen Le Thao Tram - Doctor of Diagnostic Imaging - Department of Diagnostic Imaging - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital.
CT scan or computed tomography is a modern subclinical imaging method being used in most hospitals in Vietnam. Lung CT scan helps diagnose lung-related diseases so that timely treatment and intervention measures can be taken.

1. What is a CT lung scan?

When taking a lung CT scan, the technicians will use X-ray radiation to affect the lungs, then the scanner will collect these data and convert it into images for visual observation. The resulting images can be 2D or 3D reconstruction, thanks to these images the doctor can easily diagnose lung lesions.
Lung CT scan is being widely used in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer - a leading dangerous cancer ranked by the World Health Organization WHO - in hospitals large across the country.

2. Advantages and disadvantages of CT lung imaging method

2.1. Advantages of CT lung scan

CT is a very effective technique in finding opacities and in a fairly detailed assessment of lung lesions. This method helps doctors avoid missing difficult-to-detect lung lesions.
Specifically, the X-ray method will have about 30% of lung lesions missed. But a CT scan of the lung can easily detect these lesions. Thus, it can be seen that lung CT has many advantages in diagnosis as follows:
Detecting lesions that may be missed on chest X-ray. Identify the lesions in the lungs in detail, clearly such as the size of the lesion, the extent of the lung damage.

2.2. Disadvantages of lung tomography

Lung CT uses X-ray energy, so the patient's radiation exposure is unavoidable. However, the dose of radiation for each scan is carefully considered to ensure that it does not affect the patient's health.
Because this radiation is cumulative, it is not recommended to have 2 consecutive CT scans in a short period of time. This has an impact on patients who require frequent scans.
A common problem with a CT scan of the lungs is an allergy to the contrast medium (the drug that clears the image). In most cases, allergies will clear up on their own within a few days. But there are also very rare cases of serious complications that can affect health.
Overall, according to experts, lung computed tomography remains a safe and effective method with relatively low risks. The more modern the machines used for CT lung scans, the lower the risk reduction. Moreover, compared with the effectiveness that CT scans have in the diagnosis and treatment of disease, these risks are insignificant.

3. Who can perform a CT lung scan?

Lung CT scan must be ordered by a specialist, however, if you are in the cases that we list below, you should perform a CT scan to control your health situation.
Family history of lung cancer ; People who are 50 years of age or older, are regular tobacco users, or have smoked for more than ten years. These subjects have a very high risk of lung-related diseases; Subjects frequently exposed to the environment contaminated with radioactive substances, dust, toxic chemicals; Patients with serious trauma to the chest, affecting the lungs or mediastinum, or suspected lung injury; Patients with severe bronchitis, interstitial pneumonia or other lung-related diseases; Patients often have difficulty breathing, swallowing food, coughing up blood for no apparent reason.

4. Lung CT scan procedure

The procedure for lung CT scan is as follows:
The patient needs to provide full information and medical history to the doctor before taking the scan, especially the pregnancy status needs to be informed so that the doctor can choose the appropriate examination method. fit; The patient wears hospital clothes when taking the scan; Remove all jewelry and metal objects on the body; If the patient is not allergic to the contrast medium and administers the injection, the patient must fast for 4 to 6 hours before the injection; Taking pictures and changing positions under the guidance of doctors and radiographers; After taking the patient back to normal activities, in some special cases, it is advisable to follow the doctor's prescription. Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital with the motto: Always put the patient at the center, Vinmec is committed to bringing comprehensive and high-quality healthcare services to customers.
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