Hospitals and clinics widely use pieces of equipment called CT scanners, which are designed to produce images of what is happening within the body. These can assist Doctors in diagnosing patients. CT scanners emit high energy radiation in the form of X-rays, which react to different materials in varying ways. This x-ray behavior can be utilized to produce scan images.
Often, a feature known as hypo attenuation shows up on a CT scan. Areas of hypo attenuation appear whiter and brighter than normal areas in a scan image. If you imagine a typical scan image of the skeleton, as we often see in medical institutions and school textbooks, you will remember bones appear whiter than body tissue. This is because bone is denser (more compact) than tissue. Of course, Doctors will expect to see bones appear brighter on a scan image - they are looking for abnormal hypo attenuation. Hypo attenuation in unexpected areas could indicate a number of problems, all of which will require further diagnosis to be confirmed.
Common problems hypo attenuation in CT scans indicate are those relating to the brain and the liver. Usually, they aren’t serious; for instance, there could be a cyst present which could easily be removed. But it some cases, hypo attenuation can be an indicator of a cancer tumor or brain damage. For this reason, hospitals investigate areas of hypo attenuation thoroughly and carefully. At the same time, there is no reason to worry, as a serious life-threatening problem is still unlikely.
Recent improvements in technology are making CT scanners more efficient, allowing them to pick up less acute areas of hypo attenuation. This allows problems to be recognized at an earlier stage and treated more efficiently. It is important progress like this continues to improve the diagnosis process.
Often, a feature known as hypo attenuation shows up on a CT scan. Areas of hypo attenuation appear whiter and brighter than normal areas in a scan image. If you imagine a typical scan image of the skeleton, as we often see in medical institutions and school textbooks, you will remember bones appear whiter than body tissue. This is because bone is denser (more compact) than tissue. Of course, Doctors will expect to see bones appear brighter on a scan image - they are looking for abnormal hypo attenuation. Hypo attenuation in unexpected areas could indicate a number of problems, all of which will require further diagnosis to be confirmed.
Common problems hypo attenuation in CT scans indicate are those relating to the brain and the liver. Usually, they aren’t serious; for instance, there could be a cyst present which could easily be removed. But it some cases, hypo attenuation can be an indicator of a cancer tumor or brain damage. For this reason, hospitals investigate areas of hypo attenuation thoroughly and carefully. At the same time, there is no reason to worry, as a serious life-threatening problem is still unlikely.
Recent improvements in technology are making CT scanners more efficient, allowing them to pick up less acute areas of hypo attenuation. This allows problems to be recognized at an earlier stage and treated more efficiently. It is important progress like this continues to improve the diagnosis process.
