Different Types of Scans You Might Need After an Accident
After suffering an injury in an accident, it’s common to undergo medical scans to accurately diagnose the nature and extent of your injuries. The human body is complex and full of many fragile parts, which is why advanced imaging techniques may be required to fully understand your injuries. A Kansas injury attorney from Patterson Legal Group explains five different types of scans after an accident and why you might need one.
Scans After an Accident Used to Detect Injuries
Advanced scans have been a part of medicine since X-rays were first discovered in 1895. Since then, scientists have developed ways to get more detailed images of the internals of the human body, such as MRIs and ultrasound. These diagnostics offer medical professionals vital information that can be used to quickly and accurately understand your particular injuries. Here’s a brief description of five different scans after an accident and what they can detect.
1) X-Rays
X-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation, similar to visible light but with much higher energy. This allows X-rays to pass through most objects, including the human body. When an X-ray is taken, a small amount of radiation is directed at the body. Dense materials, like bones, absorb more of the X-rays, while softer tissues allow more to pass through. This difference creates an image on a detector, showing the internal structures of the body.
Common uses of X-rays include detecting broken bones, analyzing lung conditions, finding dental cavities, and identifying foreign objects in the body. They’re particularly useful after high-impact accidents, such as car crashes, if the doctor suspects bone fractures. X-rays are quick and non-invasive, making them one of the most valuable scans after an accident.
2) Ultrasound
An ultrasound scan is a safe, non-invasive medical imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to create real-time images of the inside of the body. Unlike X-rays, it doesn’t involve radiation, making it a low-risk option for diagnosis and monitoring. A handheld device called a transducer emits sound waves, which bounce off tissues and organs, producing images on a screen.
Many people associate ultrasounds with checking the health of a fetus inside of a pregnant woman. However, they also have many other medical uses, such as detecting internal organ damage after a truck accident. Doctors may recommend an ultrasound if you have unexplained pain, swelling, or unusual symptoms that require internal visualization. Ultrasounds are a quick, painless procedure that provides valuable diagnostic information without surgery or exposure to harmful radiation.
3) CT (Computed Tomography) Scans
A CT scan is a medical imaging procedure that uses X-rays and computer technology to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body. Unlike standard X-rays, which provide a flat image, a CT scan takes multiple pictures from different angles, producing three-dimensional views of bones, organs, blood vessels, and soft tissues. The process is quick and painless, though it involves exposure to a small amount of radiation.
Doctors may recommend a CT scan for trauma patients and those with unexplained pain. They’re especially useful for detecting brain injuries after a motorcycle accident. While generally safe, frequent CT scans should be avoided due to radiation exposure, especially in pregnant women. Overall, CT scans provide fast, accurate diagnoses for a wide variety of medical conditions.
4) MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is a medical scan that uses strong magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of your body. Unlike X-rays or CT scans, it doesn’t use radiation, making it a safe option for most people. The machine produces cross-sectional pictures of organs, bones, and tissues, helping doctors diagnose conditions like brain damage, soft tissue injuries, and spinal cord damage.
You might need an MRI if you have unexplained pain, swelling, or neurological symptoms, such as dizziness or seizures. The scan is painless and does not require the use of chemicals or radiation. However, you must lie still in a narrow tube, which can feel uncomfortable for people with claustrophobia. Depending on the area of the body being scanned, the MRI procedure can last as long as 90 minutes, as opposed to an X-ray, which can be completed in minutes.
5) PET Scans (Positron Emission Tomography)
PET Scans are an advanced imaging test that detects cellular changes in the body by using a radioactive tracer. Unlike CT or MRI scans, which show structure, a PET scan reveals how tissues and organs are functioning at a metabolic level. This makes it especially useful for traumatic brain injuries.
PET scans are often combined with CT or MRI for more precise results. A medical professional may order one if they suspect you’re suffering from internal organ damage, brain damage, soft tissue injuries, or hidden bone fractures. While the radiation exposure is minimal, the test provides critical insights into hidden injuries, helping doctors plan optimal treatment. If you’ve been in a severe pedestrian accident with unexplained symptoms, a PET scan may be necessary for a deeper look at your body’s function.
Contact a Kansas Injury Attorney Near Me
The Kansas personal injury attorneys at Patterson Legal Group hope that you have a better understanding of the different scans after an accident you may need. Should you get injured in an accident caused by another party’s actions or inactions, our experienced legal professionals can connect you with top medical providers to help make sure you get the treatment you need. As you recover, we’ll start building a claim designed to win you the highest settlement possible. Best of all, you won’t pay any legal fees until money has been recovered on your behalf.
For the financial settlement and customer service that you deserve, contact Patterson Legal Group today. You can reach us 24/7 by phone at (888) 687-2400. You can also connect with us online by filling out our encrypted contact form or speaking with one of our LiveChat agents. Our firm has successfully represented thousands of injury victims throughout Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Colorado. Put our considerable skills and experience to work for you, so that you can focus on recovery.
