Cat Scans Pros and Cons List

CAT scans (sometimes called CT scans) are incredibly important tools in the medical industry, used to help diagnose illnesses and injuries in a way that just isn’t possible with any other technology. CAT scans work far more effectively than x-ray ever could, and though this technology is powerful and proven to produce fantastic results it isn’t without drawbacks or disadvantages.

Let’s break down the pros and cons of CAT scans going forward!

List of the Pros of CAT Scans

1. One of the biggest advantages in moving forward with a CAT scan is that it is a lot less restrictive than the MRI. MRI technology is powerful as well, but if you have a pacemaker installed, or any metal in your body whatsoever, a MRI simply cannot be used.

2. Secondly, a CAT scan is one of the most complete and comprehensive methods of diagnostic testing available in the medical industry today. Your doctor is going to be able to use the results of a CAT scan to determine exactly what is going on inside of your body, finding issues that may not have popped up with the original diagnosis.

3. Amazingly, CAT scan technology produces incredibly accurate results that give doctors the ability to pinpoint with laserlike precision exactly where medical issues are. This technology allows your medical experts to get a firm handle on everything happening in your body like nothing else can.

4. Finally, the speed in which a CAT scan works is unprecedented in the medical diagnostic world. In about 10 to 30 minutes you will have a full and complete idea of EXACTLY what’s happening inside of your body, allowing doctors to make quick diagnosis is and recommendations for treatment.

List of the Cons of CAT Scans

1. Of course, CAT scans are not without their downside or drawbacks. Because they are so quick and efficient a tremendous amount of radiation is released, and any more than two CAT scans in a 12 month block of time they expose you to more radiation than medical experts recommend.

2. Pregnant women cannot take advantage of CAT scan technology, either. This goes hand-in-hand with the radiation exposure mentioned above but the health risks here are even higher considering the fact that they can damage the fetus developing in a pregnant woman’s body

3. Finally, CAT scans are tremendously expensive. You – or your insurance, more accurately – should expect to spend anywhere between $5000 and $10,000 per CAT scan that you authorize. If you are paying 20% of this total you may be very surprised at the medical bill you are handed at the conclusion of your testing.