CT Scans
A CT scan (often called a CAT scan) is a special type of x-ray that takes cross-sectional images (like slices of bread) of bones, lungs, lymph nodes, blood vessels and other organs. These images are used to diagnose and pinpoint diseases or injury. If a cancer diagnosis is confirmed, your healthcare team will use the images to plan your care with a medical, surgical and/or radiation oncologists. Once treatment starts, CT scans are used to monitor your condition and the effectiveness of treatments.
What To Expect
Our CT technologist will bring you from the waiting room into the imaging suite and help you get properly positioned and comfortable on the scanner table.
PLEASE notify us immediately if you are aware of any allergy to contrast dyes, shellfish or have diabetes before you are scheduled for a scan. Most dyes are flushed from your body via the kidneys, so some patients who are over the age of 50 may need a blood test to make sure the kidneys are functioning properly prior to the scan.
Often a special “contrast material” called dye is needed to help make specific organs stand out to better show the areas being examined. Contrast can be given through an IV (injected in a vein using a small needle), by mouth or by enema depending on what area of your body is being scanned. IV contrast is used to help highlight your blood vessels, liver, urinary tract, gallbladder or liver. You may have a warm sensation and metallic taste in your mouth during the injection. Contrast by mouth is used to help highlight your stomach or esophagus and bowels. You will be asked to drink the contrast liquid 1 – 1 ½ hours before the scan. Contrast material may be inserted through an enema to highlight the intestines. Again, please be sure to drink plenty of water following your scan to flush the “dye” from your body.
During the scan, you will be exposed to a minimal amount of radiation, however, we believe the benefits of the information provided by the scan outweigh the small potential risk. Please let us know if you have any concerns about this exposure.
The scan takes 15-60 minutes depending on the area of the body that is being scanned. Typically, scan results are available in 48 hours.