CT Scan

What is a CT Scan?

A CT Scan is a relatively simple, safe, and painless examination that combines the principles of x-ray with advanced computer technology. The scan produces a series of crosssectional images of the body part that your doctor is interested in. This test will help your physician make an accurate diagnosis of your condition.

What happens during the procedure?

Upon arrival at the Radiology Department, you will be escorted to the CT scan room. If you have having a body scan, you may be asked to put on a hospital gown for the exam. You may also be asked to remove any jewelry so that it does not interfere with the x-ray imaging. One of our boardcertified technologists will then explain the procedure to you. Our highly skilled, professional staff will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. The technologist will ask you to lie down on a flat table. Once you are comfortably positioned, the table will move into the middle of a large, donut-shaped scanner. You will be asked to hold very still and, at times, asked to hold your breath. The x-ray tube rotates around your body, making images from many different angles. The machine does not touch you and you do not feel the x-rays. The average CT Scan takes approximately 20 minutes.

Contrast

Certain studies require that you be injected with contrast media (x-ray dye) to outline blood vessels or fill up organs of the body so that they can be seen more easily. The injection is given through a vein in your arm. During the injection, you may feel warm and flushed and may have a metallic taste in your mouth. This is normal and will only last for a minute. If you have allergies or have had the contrast media before and had a reaction to it, please inform your ordering physician, the technologist and/or the radiologist.

Preparing for a CT Scan

Abdomen: Readi-CAT enables us to visualize the stomach, small intestines and large bowel.
Under 4 years old:
Three (3) oz. of Readi-CAT six (6) hours prior to the CT Scan. Three (3) oz. of Readi-CAT one (1) hour prior to study. Nothing to eat two (2) hours prior to the study. May drink clear liquids.
4 to 12 years old:
Six (6) oz. Readi-CAT six (6) hours prior to CT Scan. Six (6) oz. Readi-CAT one (1) hour prior to study. Nothing to eat two (2) hours prior to the study. May drink clear liquids.
Over 12 years old:
Follow same instructions as Adult
Adult: scheduled in the morning
Nothing to eat after midnight except medications, which may be taken with water. May drink clear liquids. One (1) bottle of Readi-CAT twelve (12) hours before study, and one (1) bottle of Readi-CAT one (1) hour before study.
Adult: scheduled in the afternoon
• You may have a light liquid breakfast. No lunch. May drink clear liquids. One (1) bottle of Readi-CAT at 8:00 am, and one (1) bottle of Readi-CAT one (1) hour prior to the study.

Pelvis:
Adult: scheduled in the morning
Nothing to eat after midnight except medications, which may be taken with water. May drink clear liquids. One (1) bottle of Readi-CAT twelve (12) hours before study, and one (1) bottle of Readi-CAT two (2) hours before study.
Adult: scheduled in the afternoon
• You may have a light liquid breakfast. No lunch. May drink clear liquids. One (1) bottle of Readi-CAT at 8:00 am, and one (1) bottle of Readi-CAT two (2) hours prior to the study.
*If you are scheduled for Abdomen and Pelvis, follow prep for abdomen.

Brain:
Under 4 years old
Nothing to eat two (2) hours prior study, except medications, which may be taken with water. May drink clear liquids. Any sedation must be prescribed by ordering physician.
4 years and older:
Nothing to eat two (2) hours prior study, except medications, which may be taken with water. May drink clear liquids.
Adult: Brain, Soft-tissue Neck, Chest, Thorax Nothing to eat two (2) hours prior to study. May have clear liquids.
Adult: Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar Spine, Extremities, Bony Pelvis, and Hips
No preparation is required

After the CT Scan

You may eat when the exam is completed, unless told otherwise by your physician. The contrast media, if used, will be eliminated through your urine. It should not discolor your urine. Drinking plenty of fluids will help eliminate the contrast (xray dye) from your body.

Results

The images from your study will appear on a computer screen, where they will be evaluated for proper positioning and clarity. The information is then transferred to a board-certified radiologist who will study and interpret your images. The tests will be reported to your doctor, who will then discuss them with you.

About our staff

We are proud to be able to provide you with the utmost in patient care from our highly skilled and experienced staff. All of our radiologists at St. Joseph Medical Center are board-certified, and our CT technologists are American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (AART) registered, with CT board-certification. The Radiology Department is located on the first floor of the Diagnostic and Therapeutic area of the medical center.

Registration

Because we have reserved a specific time for your exam, we appreciate your promptness. We suggest you arrive approximately 20 minutes ahead of your scheduled exam, to allow sufficient time to register in Patient Access. Patient Access is located to the far left of the information desk in the main lobby.