Quick Facts: Special Subjects

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Common Imaging Tests

• Angiography
  • What is angiography (angiogram)?
  • Why would I need angiography?
  • What happens during angiography?
    • Before the test
    • During the test
    • After the test
  • What are the risks of having angiography?
    • Radiation
    • Other problems

• Computed Tomography
  • What is computed tomography (CT scan)?
  • Why would I need a CT scan?
  • What happens during a CT scan?
    • Before the scan
    • During the scan
    • After the scan
  • What are the risks of having a CT scan?
    • Radiation
    • Other problems

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
  • What is MRI?
  • Why would I need an MRI?
  • What happens during an MRI test?
    • Before the test
    • During the test
    • After the test
  • What are the problems with MRI tests?
    • Slower than CT scans
    • Small, enclosed space
    • Problems with the magnetic field
    • Reactions to the contrast agent, if used

• Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
  • What is positron emission tomography (PET scan)?
  • Why would I need a PET scan?
  • What happens during a PET scan?
    • Before the test
    • During the test
    • After the test
  • What are the risks of having a PET scan?
    • Radiation
    • Reactions to the tracer

• X-Rays
  • What is an x-ray?
  • Why would I need an x-ray?
  • What happens during an x-ray?
    • Before the x-ray
    • During the x-ray
  • After the x-ray
  • What are the risks of having x-rays?

• Radionuclide Scanning (Nuclear Scan)
  • What is a radionuclide scan?
  • Why would I need a radionuclide scan?
  • What happens during a radionuclide scan?
    • Before the test
    • During the scan
    • After the scan
  • What are the risks of radionuclide scanning?
    • Radiation
    • Other problems

• Ultrasonography
  • What is ultrasonography (ultrasound)?
  • Why would I need ultrasound?
    • Special types of ultrasound for heart and blood vessel problems
  • What happens during an ultrasound?
    • Before the test
    • During the test
  • What are the problems with ultrasound?

Tobacco Use

• Smoking
  • Why is smoking tobacco bad for my health?
    • What about e-cigarettes?
    • What if a child swallows nicotine?
  • What are the effects of smoking?
    • Immediate effects
    • Long-term effects
    • Withdrawal symptoms
  • Should I talk to my doctor about my smoking?

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  • What is chronic fatigue syndrome?
  • What causes chronic fatigue syndrome?
  • What are the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome?
  • How can doctors tell if I have chronic fatigue syndrome?
  • How do doctors treat chronic fatigue syndrome?

Surgery

• Surgery
  • What is surgery?
    • Keyhole surgery
  • Why do doctors do surgery?
  • How is pain controlled during surgery?
  • What happens before, during, and after surgery?
  • Getting ready for surgery
  • During surgery
  • After surgery
  • How safe is surgery?