CT

How to Prepare for Your CT

• On the day of your exam, wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.
• Avoid clothing with zippers and snaps as metal objects can affect the image.
• Depending on the part of the body that is being scanned, you may also be asked to remove hair pins, jewelry, eyeglasses, hearing aids and any dentures.
• You may be asked not to eat or drink anything for one or more hours before the exam.
• Women should inform their doctor or CT technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant.
• Before administering the contrast material, you should inform the radiologist or technologist of the following: Any allergies, especially to medications or iodine; or whether you have a history of diabetes, asthma, kidney problems, heart or thyroid conditions. These conditions may indicate a higher risk of reaction to the contrast material or potential problems eliminating the material from the patient’s system after the exam.

Please arrive at your appointment at least 15 minutes early for check-in and to fill out patient and safety forms.

What to Expect

The technologist positions you on the CT table and pillows are used to help keep you comfortable and in the proper position during the scan. The table will move slowly into the CT scanner opening. Depending on the area of the body being examined, the increments of movement may be very small and almost undetectable, or large enough to feel the motion. You will be alone in the room during your scan however your technologist can see, hear and speak with you at all times. If necessary, a friend or family member may be allowed to stay in the room with you during the exam.

To enhance the visibility of certain tissues or blood vessels, use of different contrast materials may be required. Depending on the type of examination, contrast material may be injected through an IV.

Oral contrast: You may be asked to swallow water or contrast material, a liquid that allows the radiologist to better see the stomach, small bowel and colon. Some patients find the taste of the contrast material slightly unpleasant, but tolerable.

IV contrast: To accentuate the appearance between normal and abnormal tissue in organs like the liver and spleen and to better define the blood vessels and kidneys, a contrast material is commonly injected into a vein. You might feel a flushed or warming sensation or may have a metallic taste in your mouth.

Common Uses for CT Scans

• Studying the neck, chest, abdomen and pelvis
• Diagnosing cancer
• Planning and administering radiation treatments for tumors
• Guiding biopsies and other minimally invasive procedures
• Planning surgery and determining surgical resectability
• Diagnosing and treating spinal problems and injuries to the hands, feet and other skeletal structures
• Identifying injuries to the brain, liver, spleen, kidneys, or other internal organs
• Detecting, diagnosing and treating vascular diseases that can lead to stroke, kidney failure, or even death