CT scans have many benefits that outweigh any small risk. Healthcare professionals use the lowest dose of radiation to get the needed medical information. And newer, faster machines and techniques use less radiation than older CT scans did. Talk with your healthcare professional about the benefits and risks of a CT scan. Harm to unborn babies
SPECT scans use radioactive tracers and special cameras to create images of your internal organs. Find out what to expect during your SPECT.
Doctors recommend lung CT scans to look for signs of lung cancer in current and former heavy smokers. Find out what to expect during lung cancer screening.
Bone density tests differ from bone scans. Bone scans require an injection beforehand and are usually used to detect fractures, cancer, infections and other abnormalities in the bone. Although osteoporosis is more common in older women, men also can develop the condition.
Some CT scans of the chest performed in children use no more dose than a traditional chest X-ray. Some imaging technologies are the result of long-standing research and development programs by Mayo Clinic radiology scientists. These include the photon-counting CT scanner and a compact 3-tesla MRI system for imaging the brain.
After the test If you haven't been sedated, you can resume your usual activities immediately after the scan. Results A doctor specially trained to interpret MRI scans, called a radiologist, will look over the images from your scan and report the findings to your doctor. Your doctor will discuss important findings and next steps with you.
CT scans show pictures of the brain or spine to find injuries or tumors. MRI gives detailed images of the brain or spinal cord to find injuries or tumors. Lumbar puncture, also called a spinal tap, checks the fluid around your brain and spine to look for any issues.