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Full Body CT Scans
Thursday
July 12, 2001
A state of the art medical scanner gives Sigourney Weaver a deadly diagnosis in “Alien 3.” A high-tech gadget from the far off future? Think again.
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Radiologist
Dr. Brant Zawadzki of CTSi says that more and more people
are getting full body scans to catch health problems early.
In just 40 seconds, this new and improved CT scan detects disease quicker and more accurately, long before other tests show any problems.
After years of smoking, Arthur Salerno was concerned about his health. “Even though I had no physical problems, no symptoms of anything, I thought it would be time to check it out and see where I stood.”
Results from his body scan were shocking. Arthur had an abdominal aorta aneurysm ready to burst. Rushed immediately to the hospital, Dr. Heather Brien performed emergency surgery. Arthur says the scan saved his life.
So how does it work? We followed Alan Saxe through the process. He says, “My genetics aren't the best. My mom had colon cancer and my dad has had some issues with his heart.”
The scanner takes hundreds of pictures of Alan’s anatomy and transfers them to a computer. A three-dimensional picture shows the smallest signs of trouble. Alan's prognosis: a benign cyst on the liver, no serious problems there, and a small amount of plaque in his heart.
But there is controversy surrounding the scan. The FDA says people may be exposing themselves to unnecessary and potentially dangerous radiation. However, radiologists say a single chest scan is the same as getting a mammogram. But both Arthur and Alan feel the benefits outweigh the potential risks.
Alan says, “It's new useful technology that can give you better piece of mind and can assist in having a better life and a longer life.”
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