Why You Might Need More Than One Type of Imaging Test
If you are working with your doctor to get to the bottom of a diagnosis or treat and monitor a health condition, it could be worrisome or confusing if you find that they have ordered more than one type of imaging diagnostic test. But don’t let it get you down–your friends at Advantage Diagnostics are here to explain why multiple tests are often necessary, not excessive.
Why Doctors Order More Than One Type Of Imaging Diagnostic
Each type of imaging test has its own ideal uses, advantages and disadvantages. For instance, while X-ray is recommended when doctors are monitoring bones and kidney stones, the same test is not very helpful when real-time imaging of soft tissues, pregnancy, blood flow, and organ health are needed–that’s where ultrasound is best used. Magnetic resonance imaging (MR) tests and computed tomography (CT) scans have their own ideal uses as well. They are typically used for gathering accurate and detailed images of soft tissues and capturing cross-sectional images of bones and organs, respectively.
That said, these tests’ primary uses do not always fully encompass how medical providers may use them to diagnose or monitor a condition. Your health professional may take the different strengths of each imaging type into account and order several tests in order to get the most comprehensive picture possible. The resulting information can then give them a more well-rounded approach to treatment.
Multiple kinds of imaging diagnostics exist because each one offers something unique to healthcare providers. There are also unique risks associated with each type of test. For instance, individuals who are sensitive to radiation exposure due to a health condition are able to be examined using ultrasound or perhaps MRI. At the same time, those with metal implants or other concerns may be best suited to undergoing a CT scan. Having all of these testing techniques available means that healthcare providers are not limited and can get the clearest results without presenting unnecessary risk to their patients.
Repeat or Subsequent Imaging Tests
As health conditions change, so too may testing needs. Doctors who order one test to establish a diagnosis may request additional tests of the same or different imaging diagnostics as your treatment progresses. Additional reasons why your doctor may order multiple repeat or subsequent testings can include:
- monitoring disease progression or recovery
- verifying treatment effectiveness
- detecting complications or new developments
- comparing with a baseline image
- clarifying inconclusive results
- following up after surgery or intervention
Repeat imagining tests can help doctors to make more informed treatment decisions, resulting in better long-term patient outcomes. They can better pinpoint complications before damage occurs, and alter treatment for improved efficacy. Repeated testing also allows healthcare providers to track treatment effectiveness and affords them the opportunity for early detection and intervention in cases where symptoms are not clear. Multiple and repeat imaging diagnostics also improve accuracy and reduce uncertainty in diagnosis. The more insight your doctor can have into the internal workings of your body, the better and more personalized your care will be. This is especially true when patients are dealing with various cardiovascular and vascular conditions, cancers, and are recovering from surgery.
Safety and Multiple Imaging Diagnostics
Patients may worry about repeated exposure when undergoing testing. This often comes up with X-ray and CT scans that expose patients to small amounts of radiation. For a select few conditions, like those at risk of developing lung cancer and who require regular screening, low-level testing is available and often recommended. Any conditions that require frequent testing can open a patient up to more risks. This is a concern best discussed with the physician requesting the test.
At Advantage Diagnostics, patient safety is our top priority, and we can assure you that we follow all necessary protocol and abide by all established standards when operating our testing equipment. The modern imaging systems we use are designed to minimize exposure without compromising diagnostic accuracy. On the whole, the imaging diagnostics we offer are very safe, non-invasive, and well-tolerated by most individuals. Our open MRI testing especially ensures patient comfort and safety.
How To Prepare for Repeat Imaging Diagnostics
If your doctor has ordered multiple tests or a follow-up scan, there are just a few simple steps you can take to be prepared and to make the process easy for everyone involved.
- Check with our staff in advance to ensure that you follow any fasting or contrast preparation instructions
- If tests were taken at a different facility, bring previous imaging results or reports to your appointment with Advantage Diagnostics
- Always wear comfortable clothing and remove jewelry or metal objects from your person
- Aim to be well rested and hydrated, unless otherwise instructed
- Share details about any recent health changes or new medications when asked
The staff, technicians and radiologists at Advantage Diagnostics are here to help you and make the process simple. Please contact us with any questions.
Advantage Diagnostics Is Your Imaging Provider
If you are a patient in the Cleveland or Columbus, Ohio area and your doctor orders MRI scans or other imaging diagnostics, or if you need to understand the difference between a CT scan vs a CAT scan, our team of professionals is here to help. Our board-certified and experienced radiologists accurately interpret and share results with your doctor right away, ensuring quick assessment and efficient treatment decisions. Contact us today to learn which of our locations is most convenient for you, to request or submit a patient referral form, and to learn more about our suite of services.