CT Scan: 

 CT: Computerised Tomography 

 A CT scan uses X-rays to take a set of pictures of cross sections of your body which the computer compiles to produce a detailed image of inside of your body 

 

The process: 

1. Patient lies on a motorised bed 🛏
2. The bed slowly slides into the centre of the scanning machine 
3. The x-ray machine rotates around the bed, sending thin x-ray beams through the body which are then detected 
4. The images are recorded by a computer and the radiographer checks they are of diagnostic value 💻
5. The patient can dismount the bed 🛏

 The radiographer must stand behind a glass window, and communicate with the patient through an intercom 

 The patient must lie very still while the pictures are taken (straps and pillows can help with this) 

 Contrast dye may be injected if a certain region is being scanned (it is normal to feel urinary urge or experience a metallic taste in your mouth) 👄

 It will take 10 to 20 minutes plus preparation time (approximately 2 hours in total) ⏱ 

 

Why to have a CT scan: 

 Helps your doctor identify the cause of your problem and best treatment method 

 CT scans provide significantly more detail than standard x-rays 

 

How to prepare:  

 Consult your appointment letter to assess whether to stop eating, and if so, when 📃

 If you need to drink before your scan, slowly drink 500ml of water over the hour preceding your scan, to highlight the bowel if needed 🚰

 Continue taking any medication unless told otherwise 

 Contrast dye will be injected by your nurse if required 

 If you have any metal fastenings on your clothing you may need to change into a hospital gown

 For head scans, you may need to remove anything on your head and possibly hearing aids and metallic dentures 

 

Risks: 

 You should NOT feel any pain ❌  

 Radiation is used for the scan, although the levels are very low and so the benefit of the information revealed by the scan outweighs the risk of radiation exposure 💊

 Iodine in contrast dye can cause an allergic reaction in some patients ❗  

 The dye could leak out beneath the skin instead of in the vein which the radiologist will need to be informed about 

 

Post-scan: 

 You may need to wait in the department for 10 minutes if you had contrast dye to ensure there are no signs of allergic reaction ⏱  

 You can then go back to your ward or home 🏠

 You can resume normal eating and drinking immediately 

 The radiologist will study the scan and inform your doctor of the results 

 They will then discuss the results with you and make a treatment plan if necessary (this could take up to 2 weeks if you are an outpatient) 

Summary:

1. A CT scan involves images or cross sections of your body taken by x-rays being compiled to produce a detailed image of the inside of your body
2. The patient lies on a motorised bed which slowly enters a scanning machine which sends x-ray beams through the body to take the images
3. CT scans provide much more detail than standard x-ray scans and so are useful when more information is needed