Patient Preparation for CT Scanning
(Abdomen, Chest, Neck, Brain, and CT Angiography)

• If you are a diabetic or over 70 years or older, we require a recent renal function test (eGFR).
• For the CT scans that require oral contrast you will be asked to arrive an hour before your appointment time. Our staff will inform you whether or not you require this based on your clinical notes

Frequently asked Questions about CT:

Q. What is a CT scan?
A. CT, which stands for Computed Tomography (sometimes referred to as a “CAT” scan), is a fast, painless diagnostic tool doctors can use to see inside the body. Physicians use the information they get from a CT scan to rule out or confirm the presence of certain abnormalities or diseases. If doctors do see something on your scan, that information can be vital in determining proper treatment options.

A CT scanner combines X-rays with advanced computer processing technology to create accurate detailed images of your internal structures and organs.

CT exams are quick and comfortable. You will be asked to lie still on a table as it gently moves you through a scanner.  You may be given a contrast agent, either through an injection or orally.

In most cases you will be asked several questions prior to your CT scan. Be sure to inform your physician or technologist if you have any allergies or believe you are pregnant.

Q. Why is CT important?
A. CT scans allow doctors to see images of your internal organs and structures in great detail from a variety of angles. This gives your physicians critical information more quickly and, in many cases, more economically than they could achieve with other tests or invasive techniques. In those cases where surgery or other procedures are recommended, the information from the CT scan helps the surgical team in the planning process.

Q. Is CT like an X-ray?
A. Yes. CT uses X-rays in conjunction with advanced computer technology to generate very accurate and detailed images of your internal organs, and structures. Your technologist will step into a control room to conduct the actual exam. You may notice a mechanical noise coming from the scanner. This is just the X-ray tube being activated and rotating around your body.
 

Q. Will the CT scan hurt?
A. No.  CT is a painless, non-invasive test that will not hurt at all. Your exam might require that a contrast agent be given intravenously that will make your blood vessels and tissues more visible. You will then be asked to lie perfectly still once the technologist has positioned you appropriately on the table. You may also be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds during the exam. Any movement might require the exam to be repeated.

Q. How long will my CT exam take?
A. The length of your CT exam depends on which particular study, or studies, your doctor has ordered. Most exams are quick and painless, lasting just a few minutes. You may be asked to arrive at the facility  prior to your scheduled exam time.

Q. Do I have to do anything special to prepare for my CT scan?
A. How you prepare for your CT scan depends on what part of the body is being examined. In some cases the staff may ask you to change into a hospital gown for the exam. And you may be asked not to eat or drink anything before your exam.

Q. What is a contrast agent?
A. A contrast agent is a liquid substance that makes certain tissues stand out more clearly against their surroundings, enabling the finest details to show up on the X-ray, improving diagnostic accuracy. You may be given the contrast agent intravenously or orally. In all cases the contrast agent will leave your body naturally within a few hours. If your exam does require a contrast agent, be sure to tell the technologist if you have any allergies, especially to iodine or shellfish.

Q. How long will it take to get my results?
A. The CT scans take just a few minutes. In most cases you will be asked to wait so you can take the films/ images with you. A report will be sent to your referring doctor, this time varies as our Radiologist needs to review the results.  In most cases, your doctor will receive results soon after your scan (allow 2 days before making an appointment with your referring doctor).  Urgent cases are reported first.

Q. What parts of the body can a CT scanner evaluate?
A. Almost all of it, since CT scans are used to view both soft and hard tissue.

Q. Will I feel claustrophobic?
A. Our state-of-the-art CT system is designed to provide the ultimate in patient comfort including a more open design which allows patients to see outside of the machine during examinations, reducing claustrophobic effects. This more open view offers greater comfort than conventional “tube shaped” machines and also allows you to see and talk to your technologist during your exam.

Q. Are there any people who shouldn’t get CT scans?
A. If you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or have allergies, you should inform your doctor and CT technician prior to your exam.

Q. Can my family be present during the exam?
A. Typically, family members and/or friends are not permitted to stay with you in the CT room.  However, these rules are different for some types of patients.

Q. Will I be alone during the CT exam?
A. During your CT exam, you will be in contact with a technologist. Even when the technologist is not in the CT room you will be able to communicate via intercom. The technologist will inform you when an exam is about to start and when it is finished. Typically, family members or friends are not permitted to stay with you in the CT room.

Relax

Our state-of-the-art multi-slice CT scanner helps doctors learn what’s really going on inside you. Computed Tomography has revolutionized diagnostic medicine. This advanced X-ray technique allows your doctor and radiologist to view bones, organs, blood vessels and even your heart, in extraordinarily fine detail. This information helps our doctors diagnose a wide variety of conditions earlier and faster than ever before