diagnostic tests part ii ct scan and

The Diagnostic Tests - Part II (The CT Scan and MRI)

After the seizure, I was asked to do a CT Scan and a MRI of the brain

in addition to a full medical and EEG which I spoke of earlier.

Below is a brief explanation of what these diagnostic tests is all

about.

"A Computerized Tomography (CAT or CT) scanning, a procedure

introduced in the early 1970s, has revolutionized the ability to 'see'

the brain. Low-dose X-rays are detected and interpreted by a computer,

which then generates a picture "just as if we had cut a slice of the

brain."

"A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), which is even newer, has

increased our ability to look inside the brain, as it were, even more

clearly. Unlike CT scanning, MRI does not employ X-rays but rather

uses a huge magnet to create an image, which is then analyzed by

computer in a fashion similar to the CT. It produces pictures of even

greater detail."

You can read about these tests in more detail here (Epilepsy Canada

website: Diagnostic Procedures) and view a picture of how the machines

look like here (Rochester Medical Center).

Below is my experience of these tests.

For the CT Scan, I was told to remove jewellery just as for any body

X-ray. I told them about the screw in my teeth used for my dental

work/root treatement and they said that was ok. It was a fairly simple

procedure. I merely had to lie down while the scanner (not sure if

thats what it should be called) spun around till the procedure was

complete. It made me feel like I was in an Star Trek movie or

something!

The MRI was a little more uncomfortable. It took about 20-30 minutes.

I was asked to lie down on a narrow table which slides into a

tunnel-like tube/enclosure and told not to move. It was hard to stay

completely still for that amount of time which is why children who

have to do this test is sometimes sedated. There was very little space

inside the tunnel-like tube/cylindrical chamber and it was dark making

me feel like I was being buried alive or something (it would be hard

for anyone suffering from claustrophobia to do this test). To overcome

my own fear and discomfort, I thought about the people I love, my

husband and my children. There were very loud sounds which kept on

changing rhythm all around me. Felt like some rock concert going on

which I was forced to listen to and couldn't escape from.

Thats about all I can remember about these tests. I hope I haven't

frightened anyone with my description of them. The tests are painless,

just a little bit uncomfortable for the MRI. The CT Scan was fine.