Procedure
CT (Computed Tomography) is an x-ray made with a revolving x-ray tube and a computer. The results are 2 and 3 dimensional “slices” or scans through a body part showing bone and body tissues. CT scans are able to detect some conditions that regular x-rays cannot.
Expectations
Upon arrival at the UMC Outpatient Department, you will be registered and then escorted to the Radiology Department. A CT Technologist will greet you and bring you to the procedure room. There they will obtain a brief medical history, discuss your symptoms and fully explain your procedure to you. The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists registers our CT Technologists. They have also received specialized advanced training in Computerized Technology (CT). Every two years they must complete 24 CME (Continuing Medical Education) credits in their field. The technologist works with a specially trained Medical Doctor called a Radiologist to ensure accurate results.
Examination
Your physician’s office staff will inform you if you need to do anything prior to your CT scan. Some CT scans require special preparation, while others may require no preparation at all. Some exams will require you to drink a 16 oz. cup of a special liquid called a “contrast medium”. For best results, we must wait approximately one hour to allow time for this liquid to move through your body. In addition, you may even receive contrast through an IV during your exam to allow for better visualization of specific body parts. If you are over the age of 50 or have a history of kidney disease, it will be necessary for you to have a simple blood test called a Creatinine level prior to receiving this IV contrast. It will take approximately 30-45 minutes to receive the results of this blood work, but it is required before initiating your procedure. Once in the CT room, you will need to lie on a table and the technologist will carefully position you for the scan. It is very important that you remain still and follow all breathing instructions.
Preparation
Some exams require that you have nothing to eat or drink for four hours before your exam. Your physician will provide you with instructions if this applies to you. Please bring a list of your current medications, including any over-the-counter drugs, along with dosages and how often they are taken. Wear comfortable clothing and remove jewelry, hairpins, eyeglasses and anything that may interfere with the area being scanned. Please notify the technologist if you are or may be pregnant. Also, notify the technologist of all allergies and if you are diabetic and what medicine you take for diabetes. If you are required to have a Creatinine level blood test, as mentioned above, it can be done when you come in for your exam.
Time
A CT scan can take 15-60 minutes depending on the type of scan needed. This allows for the preparation time as well as time for the computer to generate the images. Actual exposure time to radiation is minimal. The scanners used at University Medical Center are either a 16-slice or a 64-slice and both are “state of the art” machines. Both of these scanners allow for quicker and more accurate examinations.
Results
After the exam is completed, the Radiologist will study the exam and dictate a report of the findings of the exam. If more information is needed after the scan is reviewed, more scans may be taken. The report is typed and faxed to your ordering physician, typically within one-two days.