Doctors use the lowest dose of radiation possible to obtain the needed medical information. Also, newer, faster machines and techniques require less radiation than was previously used. Talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of your CT scan. Tell your doctor if you're pregnant. Although the radiation from a CT scan is unlikely to injure your baby, your doctor may recommend another type of exam, such as ultrasound or MRI, to avoid exposing your baby to radiation.
At the low doses of radiation used in CT imaging, no negative effects have been observed in humans. In certain cases, your doctor may recommend that you receive a special dye called contrast material. This can be something that you are asked to drink before your CT scan, or something that is given through a vein in your arm or inserted into your rectum.
Although rare, the contrast material can cause medical problems or allergic reactions. Most reactions are mild and result in a rash or itchiness. In rare instances, an allergic reaction can be serious, even life-threatening. Tell your doctor if you've ever had a reaction to contrast material. A special dye called contrast material is needed for some CT scans to help highlight the areas of your body being examined. The contrast material blocks X-rays and appears white on images, which can help emphasize blood vessels, intestines or other structures.
If your infant or toddler is having a CT scan, the doctor may recommend a sedative to keep your child calm and still. Movement blurs the images and may lead to inaccurate results. If a young child needs a CT scan, the doctor may recommend a sedative to keep the child from moving. Once the CT scan is over, the images are sent to a radiologist for examination.
A radiologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions using imaging techniques, such as CT scans and X-rays. Your doctor will follow-up with you to explain the results. There are very few risks associated with a CT scan. Though CT scans expose you to more radiation than typical X-rays, the risk of cancer caused by radiation is very small if you only have one scan.
Your risk for cancer may increase over time if you have multiple X-rays or CT scans. The risk of cancer is increased in children receiving CT scans, especially to the chest and abdomen. Some people have an allergic reaction to the contrast material. Though the radiation from a CT scan is unlikely to harm your baby, your doctor may recommend another exam, such as an ultrasound or MRI scan, to minimize risk.
If any abnormalities are detected during the CT scan, you may need further tests or treatments, depending on the type of abnormality found. A cranial CT scan of the head is a diagnostic tool used to create detailed pictures of the skull, brain, paranasal sinuses, and eye sockets.
What are the important differences? Why would your doctor…. A gallium scan is a diagnostic test that looks for infection, inflammation, and tumors. Gallium is radioactive, but the risk of radiation exposure…. A cervical spine CT scan uses X-rays and computer imaging to create a visual model of your cervical spine.
The doctor may give you a mild sedative to help you relax during the procedure. Tell the doctor about any implanted device you may have such as a pacemaker or medication pump, as metal objects may distort the images. Follow all the instructions you are given. Some CT scans require the use of contrast material to improve the image quality. The contrast material may be taken orally or by an intravenous injection or both. You may have to go without food and drink for a certain length of time before the procedure.
Your doctor will give you detailed instructions on how to prepare for the test and what to expect. A very obese person may be too big for the circular hole of the CT machine. The doctor may advise another type of medical imaging or diagnostic test. CT scan procedure Generally, the procedure includes the following: You may be given a large drink to consume before the procedure.
This drink is an oral contrast agent that helps to enhance pictures of the stomach, small intestines and bowel. In some cases, the contrast agent is administered as an enema. You will be asked to undress and wear a hospital gown. You must remove all metal objects including jewellery. You lie down on the scanner table.
The radiographer may use straps and foam pillows to position your body and help keep you still. You may be given an intravenous injection of an iodinated contrast medium a type of dye to help produce better images.
The table slides into the circular hole in the machine. Depending on the body part and the condition being investigated, a number of images may be taken as the table moves in and out of the circular hole.
The ring inside the gantry moves in a circle around you as it takes the x-ray images. Each revolution turning of the ring takes less than a second and there may be a number of revolutions depending on the examination.
Your appointment letter will mention anything you need to do to prepare for your scan. You may be advised to avoid eating anything for several hours before your appointment to help make sure clear images are taken. You should contact the hospital after receiving your appointment letter if you have any allergies or kidney problems, or if you're taking medication for diabetes , as special arrangements may need to be made.
You should also let the hospital know if you're pregnant. CT scans aren't usually recommended for pregnant women unless it's an emergency, as there's a small chance the X-rays could harm your baby. It's a good idea to wear loose, comfortable clothes as you may be able to wear these during the scan. Try to avoid wearing jewellery and clothes containing metal such as zips , as these will need to be removed.
Before having the scan, you may be given a special dye called a contrast to help improve the quality of the images. This may be swallowed in the form of a drink, passed into your bottom enema , or injected into a blood vessel. Tell the radiographer if you feel anxious or claustrophobic about having the scan. They can give you advice to help you feel calm and can arrange for you to have a sedative medication to help you relax if necessary.
Before the scan starts, you may be asked to remove your clothing and put on a gown. You'll also be asked to remove anything metal, such as jewellery, as metal interferes with the scanning equipment.
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