Medical tests can get confusing if you want to know the in-depth details. If you are curious like I am, you might have scratched your head several times trying to figure out the topic: CT Scan Vs. Endoscopy. No need to scratch your head anymore, as you will find out the facts that lie within.
CT scan and endoscopy are basic medical tests that physicians suggest for advanced diagnosis. To simply state, computerized tomography scan or CT scan uses X-Ray to generate images of your internal organs like your heart, brain, and more.
On the other hand, the top surface of the gastrointestinal tract is imaged using an endoscopy. The method uses a long tube with a camera at the end, known as an endoscope. Hence, the name endoscopy.
To know more about CT Scan Vs. Endoscopy, read the rest.
What Is A CT Scan?
The computerized tomography scan is a wonder of modern medical science. Doctors nowadays widely use the method to diagnose some of the most hard-to-find diseases. CT scan uses an X-Ray to produce images of your internal organs without any direct physical contact.
How Does CT Scan Work?
CT scan takes a series of pictures of your body using its efficient X-Ray imagery system. The images are taken from different angles and then processed with a computer. The result is a high-quality image of the slice of your organ, also known as a cross-sectional image.
Doctors then can analyze the high-quality image to the deepest level to figure out the problems.
When To Do A CT Scan?
Doctors suggest a CT scan for a wide range of objectives. One primary aim is to locate internal injuries, challenging to detect from the outside.
A CT scan can quickly investigate almost any part of your body from the inside. The reason for performing a CT scan includes-
- Locating bone cracks
- Spotting a tumor
- Guiding radiation therapy
- Investigating internal bleeding or injuries
- Verifying treatment effects
- Monitoring severe diseases like cancers
Getting Ready For A Ct Scan
CT scan is a quick and effective method of diagnosis. However, before going through the scan, you will need some previous preparations.
As the scanning includes using an X-Ray, you should not have any metal object with you while scanning. In addition, avoid heavy clothing.
In most cases, hospitals prefer wearing their gown.
Moreover, you should not eat or drink anything before the diagnosis process – usually for a couple of hours.
What Is An Endoscopy?
CT Scan Vs. Endoscopy: Before diving deeper, let’s get to know the endoscopy a bit.
Like the CT scan, the Endoscopy is also an effective way to diagnose diseases inside your body. The method uses a particular instrument called an Endoscope to create images of your internal body.
Endoscopy also requires some preparation – no eating or drinking before the test. Even after the test, you may not have any appetite for food.
How Does Endoscopy work?
Endoscopy requires an instrument, an endoscope, to perform the test.
An Endoscope is a long tube with a camera fit at its end. The tube is flexible enough to curve and make its way inside your body to its desired destination.
The camera, which also uses an illumination system, renders the image of your internals to a monitor where your doctor can see if something is wrong or not.
Doctors can insert the endoscope through your mouth or rectum, depending on your condition and diagnosis.
Nowadays, many hospitals use a wireless capsule endoscopy for advanced diagnosis. You have to swallow a capsule with a built-in camera in this process. Like any other tablet you intake, the capsule travels inside you and sends images to computers for examination.
The capsule is safe and efficient to use. However, you may ask how much does a capsule endoscopy cost? It costs you about 500$ excluding all the other additional costs.
When Would The Doctor Recommend An Endoscopy?
Your doctor may suggest an Endoscopy if he suspects an internal anomaly. Some common symptoms to investigate are:
- Severe stomach ache
- Facing frequent diarrhea
- Difficulty swallowing
- Anomaly in your rectum
- Blood in your stool
Endoscopy has several names, depending on your diagnosis. If your doctor examines the intestine, stomach, or even the food pipe needs, It’s a gastroscopy.
If the doctor checks your colon, your doctor would recommend a colonoscopy.
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Preparation For An Endoscopy
Like any other test, an Endoscopy needs preparations.
Your doctor would suggest you stop drinking and eating for several hours before you go for the test. Depending on the requirement, you may also need to clear out your bowels – usually by taking a laxative.
Your internal body comes in physical contact with the test instrument during the test. Therefore, your doctor may recommend antibiotics to avoid infections.
CT Scan Vs. Endoscopy
Many factors come up when trying to figure out the differences between the two most effective diagnostic methods.
However, you don’t need to get anxious. Let me guide you through some of the significant factors.
Working Principle
A CT scan uses an X-Ray to scan your internal body without any physical contact. The technicians take layers of high-quality images from different angles and process them using a computer, providing in-depth observation.
The Endoscopy uses a flexible tube with a camera at the end that travels to your internal organ and takes pictures or live videos. But unlike a CT scan, it uses usual light imagery, offering a limited surface observation.
Area Of Expertise
As the CT scan uses an X-Ray to render images, doctors can use it to examine your internal body parts, which are hard to reach physically. The brain, heart, and inside of bones are parts that require a CT scan.
Endoscopy provides a live feed from the internal organ. Doctors recommend the test to examine the digestive system that includes the esophagus and the duodenum. Sometimes, the endoscope comprises an ultrasound probe to provide a thorough examination of your stomach.
Preparations
Before a CT scan, you should remove any sort of metal wearing’s from your body. Usually, hospitals prefer you to wear their provided gown before going in that big doughnut-like chamber. Depending on the test, your doctor may limit your diet too.
The preparations of an endoscopy depend on the body part the doctor wants to check. Doctors may suggest a laxative for a colonoscopy to keep your bowels clean.
Your doctor might also ask you to shift to a fibrous diet before a few days of the test. In some cases, you may need antibiotics to avoid unnecessary infections during the test.
How it feels
A CT scan works without any physical contact with the actual instrument. You just lie in a bed that goes inside a chamber and lifts the bed. You don’t feel much except hearing some buzzing noises. The process is quick enough for you to feel almost nothing.
However, an endoscopy works by inserting the endoscope inside your body. Though the procedure is safe and painless, you can feel uncomfortable. The test takes around 15 to 45 minutes, often requiring a sedative to help you relax and feel at ease.
My Concierge, MD, comprises expert doctors, nurses, and technicians who can perform the test with 100% efficiency. In their expert hand, you will feel comfortable and always at ease.
After the Test
After a CT scan, you can return to your everyday routine and work. However, you may need to intake a lot of fluid to clear out the contrast material if you would take any.
The endoscopy also allows you to return to your routine life after the test. However, if you have taken any sedatives, you will need hours to return to your steady-state.
Risks
The CT scan exposes you to radiation during the test more than the amount you get during a standard X-Ray. However, doctors use less harmful low doses of radiation; higher doses may increase cancer risk.
An endoscopy is relatively safe. Serious harms during or after the test are pretty rare. However, the two rarest side effects you may face are infection and internal tearing or piercing the organ.
However, you may ask, “why does my jaw hurt after endoscopy?” It’s a common question that may happen after opening your mouth for a long time. You may encounter jaw dislocations in rarest cases that need further medication attention.
However, My Concierge, MD, comprises specially trained doctors to handle super efficiency. They treat you with care to give you the best treatment that you deserve.
Take Away
CT Scan Vs. Endoscopy – now you know all the differences.
Ct scan and endoscopy are two tests that doctors often suggest to perform a further examination of your internal organs. Both tests are safe; however, a healthcare center with highly trained doctors can only give 100% comfort, safety, and accuracy of the tests.
My Concierge, Md, is the best healthcare center for you offering expert doctors, nurses, and technicians. They perform the tests with optimum security and accuracy, which you rightly deserve.
