CT Scan

What is a CT Scan?

Computed Tomography (CT) is an x-ray examination that uses a special machine, which looks like a doughnut (gantry), with a flat table passing through the middle. It is performed by a radiographer (medical imaging technologist) and a radiologist (a doctor trained to interpret x-rays and medical images).

The patient is placed on the table and is slowly passed through the opening in the gantry either continuously or in small stages. The films produced give a crosssection through the part of the body being examined (head, chest, abdomen, pelvis) rather like slices of bread. Each section (slice) gives an excellent image of the organ in that area (for example the brain, kidney or liver).

Preparation

Depending on the area to be examined, you will be advised when making your appointment whether preparation is required.

Procedure

You may need to change into a gown to prevent your clothes from causing confusing shadows on the images. You will be asked to lie on the table and because of the need to maintain the correct position for some time, you may need some cloth bands around your head, body or legs to help you keep still. These are not painfully tight. You may be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds during the scans.

The radiographer, who is in the next room at the control console, communicates with you by microphone and can see the whole procedure through a window. You may need an injection of a special fluid (usually into the vein on the inside of the elbow, or on the back of the hand) to help display certain body organs.

As with all intravenous injections there is a small chance of an allergic reaction to the contrast or "dye". We only use modern non-ionic contrast which rarely causes any significant reaction. Please tell the staff if you have had any form of reaction to x-ray contrast before, or if you are an asthmatic.

Examination and Reporting Time

The examination will take between 10 and 40 minutes to complete. If you are having a CT Scan of your abdomen, you may need to drink special fluid to outline the stomach and bowel which will require you to attend the practice one hour before your examination time.

Some examinations may take considerable time to process and report - for instance CT Angiography. It is important, therefore, that you clarify with the front desk staff whether you will wait for your results, or if alternative arrangements need to be made to collect them at a later stage.