CT

You are able to eat and drink as normal. Please continue to

take any medication prescribed by your doctor as normal unless otherwise directed.

Take any prescribed medication as normal, unless otherwise directed.

If you have recently had a CT examination of the same body region or if you have a known contrast (X-ray dye) allergy, please inform a member of staff immediately.

If you are having a CT scan of your head, you will be required to remove glasses, jewellery, hair grips and dentures with a metal plate before the scan. If you are having an area of your body scanned, you may be asked to change into a gown. If possible, try to leave any jewellery or valuable items at home.

A Radiographer will carry out your CT scan.

It is important to inform the Radiographer if you are or think you may be pregnant.

A Radiographer will lead you into the scanning room and ask you to lie on the scan table. You must make sure that you are comfortable before the scan begins as it is very important that you remain still during your scan. Once you are ready you will be moved into the scanner and your scan will begin. Whilst the pictures are being produced, the scan table will move in and out of the scanner. For certain types of scan, an injection of X-ray contrast dye will be required which will be injected into a vein in your arm. This can help gain further information. The effects that you may feel from the injection include a metallic taste in your mouth, a warm flush sensation and a feeling as though you are passing water. These are only sensations and will last a few seconds. There are no side effects from the scan itself.

After your scan has finished, the Radiographer will not be able to give you any results. The results of your scan will be sent back to the doctor who referred you for the scan.

A CT scan is a painless procedure and usually takes between 10 and 20 minutes, with no major side or after effects. The Radiographer will always try to scan you as near to your appointment time as possible, however emergency cases must take priority.

A Radiologist, who has been trained in CT scan analysis, reviews the results of your CT scan. The results cannot be given to you on the day because the analysis takes a relatively long time and can include a comparison with any previous CT scans.

Both MRI and CT scans provide detailed pictures of areas of the body that used to be inaccessible by conventional X-rays. They use a sophisticated computer system to make cross-sectional pictures of areas of the body being scanned. The major difference between CT and MRI, is that an MRI uses a large magnet and radio waves to produce images, whereas a CT scanner uses X-rays. There is, therefore, no exposure to X-rays in an MRI scan.

Because MRI scanning is very sensitive to movement during the scanning procedure, CT scanning can be preferable in some circumstances if the patient is unable to stay still.

As there is little room inside the tunnel, people who suffer from severe claustrophobia sometimes have problems with being in the CT scanner. Please do consult with your referrer before the day of your appointment. If necessary, you may be prescribed medication to calm you down before the scan.

If our Radiographers know you are nervous, they will take extra care in making sure you are comfortable during your CT scan. The Radiographers can see you at all times through a large window and a television monitor and will also be able to talk to you and listen to you through an intercom system during the scan.
Keeping your eyes closed throughout the scan can sometimes help.

It is recommended that you dress in light cotton clothing which does not contain metal such as zippers, metal buttons etc. You will be offered a cotton robe which you can wear for the examination if you arrive with inappropriate clothing.