The applications of CT continue to unfold and in the process save lives. Scientists are now using scans to study the development of insects in the place of dissection which is time consuming and kills the specimens. Think of how many tiny lives could be saved. Insects make up between 50% and 85% of the animals on this planet, but not much is ...

Many people don’t know the differences between CT and MRI and when each should be used. I have to say I was one of those people until I attended the proper schooling. Patients often mistake the two machines upon entering the CT room, reaching quickly for their metal objects. This would give us all a little laugh. Most trauma patients go right ...

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has been researching hospitals that order too many CT scans. They particularly looked at the ordering of “double scans” or two scans ordered for the same patient; one with a contrast agent and the other without. “Such double scans are rarely necessary, and expose patients to 700 times as much ...

Veterinary diagnostic imaging has sure come a long way, baby. The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine is looking for feline subjects who have a recent diagnosis of congestive heart failure (CHF) or a respiratory illness. The study is examining the use of diagnostic methods that involve minimal stress for cats. X-rays and ...

Meatless Monday is a new health trend and it has multiple health and environmental benefits. Going meatless once a week may reduce your risk of chronic preventable conditions like cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. It can also help reduce your carbon footprint and save previous resources like fresh water and fossil fuel.Research ...

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an ailment that makes it hard for a person to breath. It is the 4th major cause of death in the United States. This disease can be caused from smoking on a regular basis, air pollution, or chemical fumes. It is a debilitating illness that gets worse over time and eventually makes it difficult for the ...

I continue to be intrigued by stories that discuss CT scans on unusual subjects. The most recent article I read talks about the dental and sinus health of a young man who was mummified and lived about 2,100 years ago in Egypt. “He had numerous abscesses and cavities, conditions that appear to have resulted, at some point, in a sinus ...

An unusual story came out of Richmond, VA this week. A woman who had a CT scan for abdominal pain with both PO and IV contrasts had an odd reaction. She claims the palms of her hands and the soles of her feet turned orange and became very dry about 15-20 minutes after the scan.Several days after the scan she went back to the hospital for some ...

It is with great anticipation that many Americans welcome opening day of the 2012 NFL Season. With all of the fun that comes with tailgates and parties, the health of these athletes must not be overlooked. The American Academy of Neurology just released a study that confirms previously held beliefs “… that head injuries cause neurologic ...

We all know about the dangers of radiation from CT scans but what about the radiation that is emitted from our cell phones. Many of us have our phones on us at all times and we feel as if we can’t live without them. What if they are causing us more harm than good. Previous studies have shown that there is such a small amount of radiation ...