Your article “Through a CT Scan Darkly” (July/August) addresses an important trend. A few months ago, I was struck with extreme pain in my left chest. Over four hours, I was subjected to a phalanx of tests, including a CAT scan that cost several thousand dollars. No one asked me to remove any clothing nor visually scanned my body. Although cleared of the possibility of a heart problem, there was no diagnosis and I left the ER with a prescription for pain medicine. Less than a week later, I had a repeat episode. Back to the ER, with a repeat of the first bank of tests. As the nurse was sticking the EKG electrodes to my chest (again without removing my shirt) I commented that I thought I had an allergic reaction to the cream used the previous time. She immediately recognized the rash on my chest as characteristic of shingles. The attending doctor concurred. A repeat CAT scan had already been ordered, and the doctor was not inclined to cancel it because, he said, “We just want to be sure we haven’t missed anything.” I objected, mentioning the exorbitant cost, and his response was, “Why do you care—your insurance will cover it.”
—Nik Worden, via email
For more on the science of society, and to support our work, sign up for our free email newsletters and subscribe to our bimonthly magazine. Digital editions are available in the App Store (iPad) and on Google Play (Android) and Zinio (Android, iPad, PC/MAC, iPhone, and Win8).
