[ RadSafe ] Medical x-ray vs. CAT scan

[Dan W McCarn]

Dear Chris & Joel:

As one of my orthopedic surgeons explained, the locus of a fracture
undergoes several changes over time that make it more visible with a normal
x-ray. The plane of the fracture tends to demineralize and the adjacent bone
tissue forms a denser callus giving more of a signature on x-ray. This
process takes a few days. From personal experience, I've never had a
fractured rib diagnosed on the first x-ray (except for a dislocated
fracture), but they could be easily seen after several days.

Dan ii

--
Dan W McCarn, Geologist
108 Sherwood Blvd
Los Alamos, NM 87544-3425
+1-505-672-2014 (Home - New Mexico)
+1-505-670-8123 (Mobile - New Mexico)
HotGreenChile at gmail.com (Private email) HotGreenChile at gmail dot com




-----Original Message-----
From: radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu
[mailto:radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu] On Behalf Of Alston, Chris
Sent: Tuesday, September 28, 2010 08:21
To: The International Radiation Protection (Health Physics) Mailing List
Subject: Re: [ RadSafe ] Medical x-ray vs. CAT scan

Joel

The doc likely could not tell that he would need a CAT scan, until he saw
the radiography.

Cheers
cja

-----Original Message-----
From: Joel C. [mailto:cehn at aol.com] 
Sent: Friday, September 24, 2010 2:25 PM
To: radsafe at health.phys.iit.edu
Subject: [ RadSafe ] Medical x-ray vs. CAT scan

My wife recently had an x-ray; they were looking for a bone fracture.  The
Dr. wasn't happy with the x-ray and ordered a CAT scan.  Is there any reason
why drs. don't skip the standard "film" and go right to the CAT scan, if
they suspect they need the extra resolution?  Do they have to show that the
film isn't adequate first?  I know the film exposure is low, but if there's
no benefit...


Joel I. Cehn, CHP
http://www.linkedin.com/in/joelcehn 


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