Video

The Number of Women Having Strokes is Rising

Preventative Mastectomy

Cases of Gestational Diabetes Are On the Rise

Nintendo Wii Could Be Therapy for Stroke Victims

Single Men Have An Increased Risk for Stroke

Fatty Foods Could Lead to Stroke in Older Women

Woman Gives Birth After Ovary Transplant

Cancer Foundation Raises Money for Neuroblastoma

Too Much Weight Gain During Pregnancy Could Lead to Diabetes

New CT Scanners Use 90% Less Radiation

Music Education Can Shape a Child's Sensory System

Food Warning Labels Could Help Prevent Choking Hazards

Acupuncture May Relieve Depression in Pregnant Women

The Economy Could Lower Life Expectancy

HPV Can Be Studied On Dolphins

CT Scans Surpass X-Rays for Swine Flu: Study

Posted on 10/22/2009, 09:00
By -- Randy Dotinga

In high-risk patients, scans better able to spot serious complications, researchers say

THURSDAY, Oct. 22 (HealthDay News) -- New research suggests that computed tomography (CT) scans are better than standard X-rays at detecting the severity of illness in patients with the H1N1 virus, known as swine flu.

Researchers examined seven patients infected with the virus and gave chest X-rays to all of them. Three of the patients also received CT scans.

The study results were released online Oct. 21 in advance of publication in the December print issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.

"All patients with CT abnormalities showed abnormal findings on the corresponding chest X-rays," study author Dr. Amr M. Ajlan said in a news release from the American Roentgen Ray Society. "However, the extent of involvement was more diffuse and the distribution of disease was better characterized on CT."

"The strength of our study is that all CT scans performed showed a similar distribution of abnormalities, which might help physicians prospectively diagnose H1N1 using medical imaging," Ajlan said. "Most cases of H1N1 are mild and self-limited; however, high-risk patients are more likely to have severe complications. Our study suggests that CT is superior to standard chest X-rays and should be the imaging modality of choice in high-risk patients."

More information

Learn more about swine flu from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

SOURCE: American Roentgen Ray Society, news release, Oct. 21, 2009

More news in Cold and Flu...

BigHealthTree.com Disclaimer

Bighealthtree.com Does Not Provide Medical Advice. This site, including the above information, is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical or health advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified health or medical professional before starting any new treatment, changing existing treatment, or altering your current exercise and/or diet program. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911 (or the emergency services in your area) or your doctor immediately.

Rating: 3.4 / 5 (37 votes)