COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY (CT) PROCEDURES

What is a CT scan?

A Computerized Tomography (CT) scanner uses special x-rays and complex computers to create a ‘cross sectional’ slice of the inside of the body -patterned much like slices of bread.  A series of these pictures is made to focus on the body part(s) your doctor needs to see. 

How does it work?

The patient moves through the gantry (circular donut shaped part of the scanner) on a movable table.  At the same time, a rotating x-ray machine inside the gantry moves around the body.  As the patient moves through the gantry, the detectors constantly collect data as the radiation passes through your body, and with the aid of a complex computer, a two dimensional image is created. 

A completed scan may have as little as 20 images, such as CT of the brain, while other’s have over one hundred images, as is the case with a CT of the abdomen.  Each image represents a section of the body, which can be thick (10mm) or thin (1mm) depending upon the body part being examined.  The examination is fast and painless.

CT Patient Preparation and Instructions:

Please bring your insurance information on the day of your exam.

You should dress comfortably but avoid any clothing in the area to be scanned that has a zipper, snaps or jewelry, since metal objects may affect the CT images.  You may also be asked to remove hairpins jewelry, eyeglasses, hearing aids and any removable dental work, depending on the part of the body that is being scanned.

The staff will have you fill out a form which will ask you about your medical history, including previous surgeries and symptoms related to the area of interest being imaged.  You will be ask if you have asthma, multiple myeloma or any disorder of the heart, kidneys, or if you have diabetes-particularly if you are taking Glucophage (Metformin). 

You may take any prescription medications as usual unless otherwise instructed.

Please notify the staff if you may be pregnant

What can I expect during my CT scan?

No special preparation is needed for a CT scan unless you are to receive contrast material. (A substance that highlights the area of interest and blood vessels and makes abnormalities easier to see).  Depending on the type of exam and the reason for the exam, you may be asked to drink an oral contrast agent. The exam may also require an x-ray contrast material to be injected into your blood stream through a vein in your arm or hand.  The technologist will inform you of the specifics of your exam prior to injecting the contrast material.  Summit Medical Associates, P.C. uses only non-ionic IV contrast for all exams requiring IV contrast; this is the safest possible IV contrast available.  During the injection you may feel warm and flushed and have a metallic taste in your mouth.  This is a normal reaction to the contrast medium and will last only a minute or so, and it is not cause for concern.  Let the technologist know if you begin to itch, feel short of breath, or are otherwise uncomfortable.  Listen attentively to the technologist’s instructions and keep the technologist informed of any discomfort.  The technologist can see and hear you at all times—each of you can communicate with each other via an intercom system.

Tell the doctor or the Technologist if you suspect that you are allergic to x-ray contrast medium.

All of the exams will require you to lie down on a cushioned table where you will remain for the duration of the procedure.  The technologist will be in constant contact with you and may give you breathing instructions.  The procedure will usually take between 10 and 30 minutes after you lie on the CT table.

Specific Instructions for CT Exams

Abdomen CT With Contrast:  Drink one bottle of Readicat one hour before your exam, nothing to eat or drink for 2 hours prior to your exam.  (if you were not given readicat for your exam, you are having the IV contrast only) 

Abdomen CT Without Contrast:  If you were given Readicat to drink, drink one bottle one hour before your exam.  Do not eat after you drink the Readicat (oral contrast); you may drink water up until the test time.

Abdomen and Pelvis With Contrast:  Drink one bottle of Readicat before you go to bed the night before the test and drink on bottle of Readicat one hour before your exam, nothing to eat or drink for 2 hours prior to your exam.  (if you were not given Readicat for your exam, you are having the IV contrast only).

Abdomen and Pelvis Without Contrast:  Drink one bottle of Readicat before you go to bed the night before the test and drink on bottle of Readicat one hour before your exam, nothing to eat 2 hours prior to your exam; you may drink water up until the time of the exam.  (if you were not given Readicat for your exam, you are having the test without oral or IV contrast and you may eat and drink up until your test time).

Chest CT With Contrast: Nothing to eat or drink for 1 hour prior to your test time.

Chest CT Without Contrast:  No prep, you may eat and drink up until your test time.

Extremity CT With Contrast:  No prep, you may eat and drink up until your test time.

Extremity CT Without Contrast:  Nothing to eat or drink for one hour prior to your test time.

CT Head Without Contrast:  No prep, you may eat and drink up until your test time.

CT Head With and Without Contrast:

Nothing to eat or drink for 1 hour prior to your test time.

CT Sinus, Orbit Without Contrast, Face Without Contrast, And IAC Without Contrast:  No prep, you may eat and drink up until your test time.

CT Orbit, Face, or IAC With Contrast:  Nothing to eat or drink for one hour prior to your test time.

CT Neck With Contrast:  Nothing to eat or drink for one hour prior to you test time.

CT Neck Without Contrast:  No prep, you may eat and drink up until your test time.

YOU MAY TAKE ALL OF YOUR MEDICATIONS PRIOR TO YOUR CT