Too many people take their skulls for granted. After all, the skull is what protects the brain from harm. In order to avoid damaging the skull, it is advised that people who enjoy cycling and other extreme sports wear a helmet. However, sometimes the skull gets damaged through other means, so it is up to medical technology to diagnose what is exactly wrong with the skull.
One of the medical scans that can ascertain the amount of damage that has been done to the skull is the CAT scan. This scan uses an intense form of x ray technology in order to see a detailed three dimensional view of the skull. While the CAT scan is usually used to determine cranial breaks, it can also sometimes detect whether the patient is at risk for a stroke or other abnormalities. Additionally, the CAT scan can also be used to detect spinal problems.
In order to properly prepare for a CAT scan, which is usually an outpatient procedure, the patient should arrive wearing comfortable clothing that should be metal free. This means that things like zippers and buttons, as well as additional things like hearing aids and glasses, should not be worn. This is mainly because the metal will hamper the effectiveness of the machine. The patient will be asked to lie down on the examining table, and the scanner will make several passes over the body. Afterwards, the patient will generally be able to return to his or her usual activities.
