What is CT?
CT (Computed Tomography) Scan is sometimes referred to as a CAT scan. It uses a special X-ray machine to take images of cross-sections of your body. This enables the doctor to see clearly what is going on in various parts of your body without your having to have surgery. Because it can easily look at various types of tissues, bones, blood vessels, and soft tissue, a CT scan can help with diagnosing a wide range of conditions including cancers, infectious disease, bone disorders, internal trauma, or cardio-vascular disease.

How does it work? 

The CT machine is as you see here, a large machine with a large hole in it into which you will slide on a table. A special x-ray unit rotates around, taking multiple pictures of the inside of your body. These pictures are then interpreted by a special computer which prints very detailed two-dimensional pictures of "slices" of your body.

You may not have to do anything to prepare for this exam. It depends on the type of exam you are having. You may be asked not to eat or drink anything for a period of time before your exam. You should wear loose-fitting clothing with no zippers, snaps or other metal. You may be asked to remove all jewelry, glasses, removable dental work, or hearing aids. You MUST inform the technologist if there is a chance that you could be pregnant.

During the exam

You will be positioned on a special table which will carry you into the CT unit. Depending upon the type of exam you are having, you may be required to drink or have an injection or an enema consisting of a contrasting agent. This may cause you to feel a sudden flush of warmth or to have a metallic taste in your mouth. This is normal and will go away soon. Mild itching is normal too. If you feel short of breath or feel your throat swelling, this could be a sign of a serious reaction though, and you must tell your technologist immediately. Thankfully, this is very rare with the new contrast agents.

Your  technologist will make sure that you are in the best position possible to assure the most helpful pictures for the radiologist. You may be propped on pillows in order to accomplish this.

Your table will carry you into the machine as you see in the photos to the right. While the machine is working, your technologist will be behind a glass panel in the control room so that s/he can monitor the progress of your scan. The technologist will still be able to talk to you through a microphone. 

As the machine takes its pictures, you will hear a whirring noise, but the exam is completely painless. It will take between 15 and 30 minutes. After it is over, you will be asked to wait for a little while while the radiologist determines if there are sufficient pictures and that they show the necessary structures. 

After the exam you will be asked to wait for a few minutes to make sure that the pictures came out well. 

Results

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