General CT

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A CT, or Computed Tomography, is a common type of diagnostic imaging scan which can be used on any are of the body. It provides the Radiologist with a more detailed picture than a normal X-ray. You can watch our animated patient information video about CT here.

How do I prepare?

Please arrive early for your exam as you will be asked to change into a gown. Wearing a two piece outfit can make this easier for you.

If you’re pregnant please let the Radiographer know.

For most CT scans, there is no fasting required. At Queensland X-Ray we use a high-grade contrast. There are sometimes side-effects to this, the most common being a warm flushed feeling, and a strange taste in your mouth. These will be explained more thoroughly at your appointment.

Some people find having a CT a little claustrophobic and like to take a light sedative before their scan. This will not send you to sleep, it will just relax you. You should discuss this with your referring doctor and tell us at the time of booking if you think it will be of benefit.

The scan doesn’t take long, but please allow an hour for your appointment.

Technology and Team

Queensland X-Ray utilises various CT scanners, which include Siemens and Toshiba.

Your CT will be performed by an experienced Radiographer. A Radiographer is a university-trained health professional who works with cutting-edge technology to produce X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans and other images.

Once the images are taken, they’ll be read by a Radiologist – a highly trained specialist medical doctor – who will interpret the images to diagnose illness and injury.

What happens during my examination

The Radiographer will explain exactly what will happen during your procedure. It may vary slightly from what we describe below, so don’t worry.

Your Radiographer will ask you to enter the CT room and you will be asked to lie down on the bed. The Radiographer will ensure you are comfortable and then leave the room.

For some CT imaging we require you to have an injection of contrast. The contrast will help enhance a particular area of your body so it’s easier to see. You may feel a hot flush feeling for a moment as the contrast enters your body or a metallic taste in your mouth. This is perfectly normal and only lasts a few minutes. Over the course of the day the contrast solution will be naturally excreted by your body with no side effects. This procedure is not advisable for those allergic to iodine or shellfish.

Once you have had the injection, you may be asked to lie still while the contrast travels to the body part we need to image. For Kidneys, this can take up to 10 minutes.

The bed will move slowly into the gantry and then slowly out again. A typical CT will last between 5 – 30 minutes.

At the end of the examination, you will be able to redress and leave.

After your examination

The results of your CT will be sent directly to your referring Doctor. Please ensure you book a timely follow-up appointment to discuss your results with them.

Cost

The cost of a CT will depend on the reason for your scan. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking.

Locations providing this service

189 Lake Street

189 Lake Street,
Cairns, QLD, 4870

Bayside

16 Weippin Street (Opposite Redland Hospital) Cleveland, QLD, 4163

Beenleigh

105 City Road,
Beenleigh, QLD, 4207

Bowen Hills

Bowen Hills Medical Specialist Centre
Suite 3, 16 Thompson Street
Bowen Hills, QLD, 4006

Browns Plains

14 Grand Plaza Drive,
Browns Plains, QLD, 4118

Cairns Private Hospital

144 Lake Street,
Cairns, QLD, 4870

Capalaba

Ground Floor,
Rickey Street,
Capalaba, QLD, 4157

Cleveland

43 Wynyard Street,
Cleveland, QLD, 4163

Coorparoo

342 Old Cleveland Road,
Coorparoo, QLD, 4151

Domain Central

21a/I Domain Central,
103 Duckworth Street,
Townsville, QLD, 4812

Douglas Discovery Rise

Clinical Practice Building,
James Cook Drive (cnr Mt Stuart Street),
Douglas, QLD, 4814

Fairfield

Fairfield Homemaker Centre
1 D'Arcy Drive
Idalia Qld 4811

Gold Coast Airport Central

Airport Central, 1 Eastern Avenue, Bilinga, QLD, 4225

Gold Coast Private Hospital

Ground Floor, 14 Hill Street, Southport, QLD, 4215

Greenslopes Private Hospital

Lower Lobby Level,
Newdegate Street,
Greenslopes, QLD, 4120

Helensvale

GC North Medical Hub
Helensvale Homeworld
Tenancy 78, First Floor
502 Hope Island Road
Helensvale QLD 4212

Logan Central

1 Wembley Rd
Cnr Wembley and Kingston Roads
(Service Road)
Logan Central, QLD, 4114

Logan Road

589 Logan Road,
Greenslopes, QLD, 4120

Loganholme

62 Bryants Road,
Loganholme, QLD, 4129

Mackay Fourways

96 Nebo Road,
West Mackay, QLD, 4740

Market Square

Ground Floor, 309 Mains Road
(Cnr Elva Street)
Sunnybank, Qld, 4109

Mater Hospital Brisbane

4th Floor, 32 Raymond Terrace,
South Brisbane, QLD, 4101

Mater Private Hospital Hyde Park

9-13 Bayswater Road,
Hyde Park, QLD, 4812

Mater Private Hospital Mackay

76 Willetts Road,
North Mackay, QLD, 4740

Mater Private Hospital Pimlico

Fulham Road,
Pimlico, QLD, 4812

Mater Private Hospital South Brisbane

301 Vulture Street,
South Brisbane, QLD, 4101

Mater Private Hospital Springfield

30 Health Care Drive,
Springfield Central, QLD, 4300

Medici Medical Centre

13-15 Scott Street,
Toowoomba, QLD, 4350

North Shore

7/50 North Shore Boulevard,
Burdell, QLD, 4818

Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Hospital

Cnr of Kessels and Troughton Roads,
Coopers Plains, QLD, 4108

Russell Street

127 Russell Street,
Toowoomba, QLD, 4350

Southport

128 Queen Street ,
Southport, QLD 4215

St Andrew’s Hospital Toowoomba

280 North Street,
Toowoomba, QLD, 4350

St Vincent’s Hospital Brisbane

411 Main Street,
Kangaroo Point, QLD, 4169

St Vincent’s Hospital Toowoomba

Scott Street,
Toowoomba, QLD, 4350

Sunnybank Private Hospital

Level 1, Sunnybank Private Medical Centre
245 McCullough Street,
Sunnybank, QLD, 4109

Taringa Westside Private Hospital

32 Morrow Street, Taringa, QLD, 4068

Upper Mount Gravatt

Ground Floor,
1985 Logan Road,
Upper Mount Gravatt, QLD, 4122

Warwick

51 Wood Street,
Warwick, QLD, 4370

Westcourt

318 Mulgrave Road,
Cairns, QLD, 4870

Wynnum

101 Clara Street,
Wynnum, QLD, 4178

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Bookings are required for some CT appointments and can be requested easily via our Online Bookings form

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