OT: CT scans are cool

So as some of you may remember, I had some kidney stones removed last month. These were diagnosed with a CT scan. After the procedure, I had recurring pain. I went in for a followup CT scan last week. While I was there, I asked if I could get a copy. The receptionist said sure, it's $10 for personal use. Thinking it would be cool to have my CT scan images as a screensaver, I didn't hesitate to pay the $10. She asked which scans I would like, and I said all of them (three since 2009).

I expected to get a CD with lots of individual images, instead, I got two CDs with software on it that allows me to interact with the images and even render a 3D model. It's really cool! Although, I thought it would be tough to make a screensaver since there don't appear to be any jpgs or gifs on the CD. However, the software not only lets you export images, it lets you export videos as well!

Yup. They are fun to play with. I always try to get a copy of mine. I usually specify that it's for a second opinion, and they give it to me free of charge. And you never know when you might need it for a second opinion. I had an MRI of my ankle, and then 6 months later decided to have the torn ligaments surgically corrected by a different doctor than the one who ordered the MRI. I just pulled the CD out of my file and took it to the new doctor. Plus, I know enough anatomy that I like to provide my own secon opinion. The guy at the medical records desk doesn't need to know that I'm the one giving the second opinion, right?

So far I've got a CT of my head, MRI of my head, and MRI of my ankle on file. As well as x-rays of my ankle, wrist, and knee. There's also a CT of my abdomen out there from 2 years ago, but I never got a copy. I keep thinking I should do it before it's too late to get it.

If nothing else, I'd love to keep these things on file in case I ever have a use for them in teaching (It's entirely possible that I could end up teaching anatomy, so normal and pathological images are always good to have on hand). I actually used some of the images from my gallbladder surgery (photos of the incisions as well as photos of the surgery itself)in a lecture I gave as part of the requirements for my anatomy teaching certification.

After having had a number of medical procedures and three CT scans in the last few years, I was told that a CT scan subjects you to the equivalent of 600 xrays. I now am easy to locate in the dark.

davelikesbeer wrote:I expected to get a CD with lots of individual images, instead, I got two CDs with software on it that allows me to interact with the images and even render a 3D model. It's really cool! Although, I thought it would be tough to make a screensaver since there don't appear to be any jpgs or gifs on the CD. However, the software not only lets you export images, it lets you export videos as well!

There was an interview with a doctor on NPR yesterday who did a CT scan of a Stradivarius violin, then converted the 3D data into a format for a CNC machine that was used to carve out an exact duplicate of the Strad. He ended up with a super violin, apparently nearly as good as the original. This way up and coming violinists can have their own Strad without having to shell out $15 million!