Computed tomography (CT) uses special X-ray equipment to take hundreds of images from different angles around the body. These images are then computer processed to display “slices” of body tissues and organs. CT imaging can be used to obtain images of almost any area of the body including the lungs, bones, soft tissues, blood vessels and the spinal cord. A CT scan is also called a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan.
Prior to the CT scan, a contrast will be either injected into your blood intravenously or you will be asked to drink the contrast. The contrast makes blood vessels and other structures more visible. The flow of this contrast may be helpful in evaluating blood flow and detecting tumors and areas of injury or inflammation.
Please arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment.
CT HEAD
Without Contrast — Please remove bobby pins, earrings, partials, and dentures containing metal before exam. The scan will take approximately 10 minutes after entering the room.
With Contrast — Same as without but an INT will be inserted into a vein to administer the IV contrast. The scan will take approximately 15 minutes after entering the room.
CT STEREOTACTIC and STEALTH
These are CT scans of the head that are set up in conjunction with the Neurosurgeon to be used for localization during surgery.
CT SINUSES
Without Contrast — Please remove bobby pins, earrings, necklaces, partials, and dentures containing metal before the exam. The scan will take approximately 10 minutes after entering the room. If your physician requires copies of your films there will be a brief wait after the test to make copies of the films.
CT CHEST
Without Contrast — Please remove necklaces before the exam and it is recommended to were a shirt/blouse without snaps or metal buttons. This way you will not have to change into a hospital gown for the exam. The scan will take approximately 10 minutes after entering the room.
With Contrast - Same as without but an INT will be inserted into a vein to administer the IV contrast. The scan will take approximately 15 minutes after entering the room.
CT ANGIO CHEST
This exam always requires IV contrast. The scan from a patient-standpoint is identical to a CT Chest with contrast. The difference occurs in how the technologist obtains the raw data with the scanner and how the information is processed on the computer.
CT ARTERIOGRAMS
This exam always requires IV contrast. Once the Radiologist determines the start and endpoints of the exam, the technologist will do the scan. The scan usually takes a matter of minutes. After the patient is dismissed the technologist will do some special processing of the information. For this reason it will take at least one hour before any final results will be available.
CT ABDOMEN
Without Contrast — Please minimize the amount of metals located on your shirt and slacks to avoid having to be changed into a hospital gown. The scan will take approximately 10 minutes after entering the room.
With Oral Contrast — Same as without contrast but, it is required that the patient does not eat or drink anything 4 hours prior to starting the oral prep. This is so the contrast will coat evenly. When drinking the contrast it is important to sip it (so all the contrast will not be in one area) over the course of the required hour (it takes this long to get far enough in the system). It is not necessary to stay in the radiology waiting area to drink the oral contrast. It can be picked up in advance and drank at home if desired. The scan will take approximately 15 minutes after entering the room.
With IV and Oral Contrast — Same as the Oral only study but an INT will be started into a vein to administer the IV contrast. The scan will take approximately 15 minutes after entering the room.
CT PELVIS
Without Contrast — Please minimize the amount of metals located on the slacks to avoid having to be changed into a hospital gown. The scan will take approximately 10 minutes after entering the room.
With Oral Contrast — Same as without contrast but, it is required that one does not eat or drink anything 4 hours prior to starting the oral prep. This is so the contrast will coat evenly. When drinking the contrast it is important to sip it (so all the contrast will not be in one area) over the course of the required two hours (it takes this long to get far enough in the system). It is not necessary to stay in the radiology waiting area to drink the oral contrast. It can be picked up in advance and drank at home if desired. The scan will take approximately 15 minutes after entering the room.
With IV and Oral Contrast — Same as the Oral only study but an INT will be started into a vein to administer the IV contrast. The scan will take approximately 15 minutes after entering the room.
CT RADIATION THERAPY LOCALIZATION
These exams are done in conjunction with the radiation oncology department. A technologist from Radiation Therapy will come to the CT department and with the CT technologist set up a body part scan determined by the Radiation Oncologist. This is used to set up treatment plans for Radiation Therapy.
CT BIOPSIES AND DRAIN PLACEMENTS
These exams are considered surgical procedures. A Radiologist, Technologist and Nurse will be working together to perform the procedure. Patient will be required to show up well before the procedure will take place in order to obtain required lab work and have an INT placed so the patient can receive intravenous pain medicine. Patients are not put to sleep for these exams. The scanner is used to locate the area of interest. A mark is placed on the skin surface. This marked area is numbed with zylocaine. A needle is inserted to the area of interest and the technologist uses the scanner to verify that the positioning is correct. For a biopsy a sample is taken through a needle. For a drain a guidewire is inserted into the fluid collection and used to place the drainage catheter in the correct position. The time the procedure takes will vary by individual, but seldom exceeds one hour after entering the scan room.
CT 3D
3D is not a scan but a way in which the technologist processes the computer information. At St. Mary's any helical exam can be converted into a 3D exam.
The scans listed above are the most common but any body part may be scanned.
Thank you for choosing Mercy Health Partners for your health care needs.
For more information about CT Scans please contact Janie Williams at
jwilliam@mercy.com.
