FAQs: CT

A CT scan is a type of scan that uses special X-ray equipment to obtain images from all angles of the body. It then joins the images together to show a cross-section of body tissues and organs. The scan provides detailed information on the scanned part of the body.

The CT scanner is a specialized machine that looks like a large doughnut. You will lay on a movable table that goes in and out of the center of the machine. Most CT studies use an advanced unit called a spiral CT that records a large number of pictures in a short time.

During the scan you will lie on a moving table.  A rotating device spins around your body creating a beam of X-rays. A detector takes snapshots of the beam after it passes through your body and a powerful computer program then processes the images and displays them in different ways for examination. The technician will communicate with you throughout the procedure, but will need to leave the room briefly to run the computer. A radiologist then reviews the images to look at the area in question.

No, CT scanning is a painless procedure. If contrast material is used, you may feel flushed or get a metallic taste in your mouth, usually lasting no more than a minute or two. In rare cases, you may experience other side effects. Contact the CT technologist or your doctor if these occur or if you have questions about the use of contrast.

When your CT exam is complete, you may return to work or other normal activity immediately. Our board-certified radiologists will read your exam, and the results will be reported to your referring physician within 24 hours.

A CT scan of the head is a type of scan that uses special X-ray equipment to obtain images from all angles of the head. It then joins the images together to show a cross-section of body tissues and organs. The scan provides detailed information on head injuries, stroke, brain tumors, and other brain diseases.

A CT of the head may be recommended for many different reasons. Your doctor may recommend a CT of the head if you experience severe headaches or if he or she is questioning your risk of stroke, a mass or tumor, or other neurological symptoms. A CT of the head can detect a variety of problems within the brain, including: bleeding, blood clots, brain damage, skull fractures, brain tumors, and diseases or malformations of the skull. The procedure also is used in planning radiation therapy for cancer of the brain or other tissues.

A CT scan of the chest is a type of scan that uses special equipment to obtain cross-sectional images of the organs and tissues of the chest. The images produced are far more detailed than those from a traditional chest X-ray. This scan can simultaneously show many different types of tissue including the lungs, heart, bones, soft tissues, muscle, and blood vessels.

A CT of the chest may be recommended for a variety of reasons. First, it can be used to detect tumors that develop in the lungs or that have spread there from other parts of the body. It also can be used to screen for lung cancer that may not be found on a chest X-ray. Other lung disorders, such as old or new pneumonia, tuberculosis, emphysema, and lung disease can be detected by this scan as well.

A CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis is a type of scan that uses special equipment to take pictures from different angles. These pictures are fed into a computer, which combines them to produce a series of cross sections or slices through the part of the pelvis being scanned. This creates a very detailed image of the abdomen and pelvis

To prepare for a CT scan we recommend you dress comfortably. Also, avoid any clothing that contains metal objects such as, snaps and zippers that can affect the CT image. You will not be asked to wear a gown unless the technician feels your clothing could affect the results of the scan. Depending on your individual scan, you may be asked to drink contrast before you arrive. Contrast material is a dye that makes your organs and blood vessels more visible when you are scanned. After the scan you should drink plenty of liquids to help flush the contrast out of your system.

CT angiography uses X-rays to view blood flow in blood vessels throughout the body, from arteries serving the brain to those bringing blood to the lungs, kidneys, arms, and legs. Beams of X-rays create cross-sectional images that are assembled by a computer into a three-dimensional picture of the area in question.

A CTA may be recommended for a variety of reasons. CTA helps visualize blood flow in the arteries that serve your kidneys, in patients with high blood pressure and those who are suspected of having kidney disorders. It also is used to identify life threatening aneurysms in heart and brain. CTA also can help detect narrowing and blockage in the arteries.

A CT of the chest is used to take high-resolution pictures of the lungs, allowing for the detection of abnormal spots called nodules. These nodules usually are too small to be seen on a chest X-ray. Studies show that low-dose CT screening greatly increases the likelihood of detecting lung cancer at an earlier and more curable stage than chest X-rays. According to researchers:

• Using CT, nodules were detected three times as often as on chest X-rays.
• Malignant tumors were detected four times as often as on chest X-rays.
• Stage I (the earliest stage of invasive lung cancer) malignant tumors were detected six times as often as on chest X-rays.
• Malignant tumors detected using CT were substantially smaller, meaning they were detected earlier, than those detected on chest X-rays.

To prepare for a CT scan, we recommend you dress comfortably. Also, avoid any clothing that contains metal objects such as, snaps and zippers because they can affect the CT image. You will not be asked to wear a gown unless the technician feels your clothing could affect the results of the scan. Depending on your individual scan, you may receive a contrast injection. Contrast material is a dye that makes organs and blood vessels more visible when you are scanned. If contrast is used, you will be asked not to eat or drink for 4 hours prior to the procedure. After the scan you should drink plenty of liquids to help flush the contrast out of your system.

The CT scanner is a specialized machine that looks like a large square doughnut. You will lie on a movable table that goes in and out of the center of the machine. Most computed tomography studies use an advanced unit called a spiral CT that records a large number of pictures in a short time.

CT scanning requires you to lie flat on your back. A rotating device spins around your body creating a beam of X-rays. A detector takes snapshots of the beam after it passes through your body and a powerful computer program then processes the images and displays them in different ways for examination. During the scan you will be asked to hold your breath for 30-40 seconds. The technician will communicate with you throughout the procedure, but will need to leave the room briefly to run the computer. A radiologist then reviews the images to look at the area in question. The scan will take about 5-10 minutes and the entire experience should last no more than 30 minutes.

Coronary calcification occurs when calcium deposits in your blood vessels. Research shows that the amount of calcification is directly related to the amount of plaque in your arteries. This plaque increases your likelihood of developing heart disease.

CT scans can detect the amount of calcium build-up in the coronary arteries. The test, otherwise known as a cardiac score, is used to help diagnose heart disease. Because heart disease is a leading cause of death, it is important to undergo screenings. CT scans are one of the most accurate ways to detect calcium build-up in your coronary arteries.

To prepare for a CT scan, we recommend you dress comfortably. Also, avoid any clothing that contains metal objects such as snaps or zippers that can affect the CT image. You will not be asked to wear a gown unless the technician feels your clothing could affect the results of the scan. Depending on your individual scan, you may receive a contrast injection. Contrast material is a dye that makes your organs and blood vessels more visible when you are scanned. If contrast is used, you will be asked not to eat or drink for 4 hours prior to the procedure. After the scan you should drink plenty of liquids to help flush the contrast out of your system.