CT scan
What is CT scan
Computerized tomography (CT) scan combines a series of X-ray images taken from different angles around your body and uses computer processing to create cross-sectional images (slices) of the bones, blood vessels and soft tissues inside your body.
CT scan images provide more-detailed information than plain X-rays and Ultrasonography do.Type of CT scan
Various sections of the body can be imaged via CT scan eg:
- CT Scan Brain/ CT Scan Head- face for stroke or head injury
- CT Paranasal sinuses done to check for a deviated septum or sinusitis or polyps
- CT Scan Chest (CT Scan Lung) CT Scan Neck for lung problems.
- CT Scan abdomen Pelvis done for abdominal pain, tumor
- Extremities like CT Ankle/CT Foot/ CT Elbow/ CT Clavicle & Sternoclavicular (S/C) Joints/ CT
- Hand/ CT Hip/ CT Knee/ CT Sacrum & Coccyx/ CT Wrist - most often done to diagnose fractures,injury to the ligament and dislocations.
- CT scan guided procedures like biopsy, aspiration, tapping, pigtail insertions are performed.
Your instructions to prepare will depend on the type of CT scan you're having.
There are two types of CT scans; one done without contrast and other done with contrast.
( Contrast is liquid medium administered via IV line , enhancing the pathology )
- You should provide detail history regarding any allergies and medications prior to CT scan appointment.
- If you are receiving CT scan IV contrast, do not eat or drink 4 hours prior your exam. You may continue to drink water if you prefer.
- Do not eat for 2.5 hours prior to the examination.
- You may have clear liquids up to two hours before the examination.
- Clear liquids include water, black coffee or tea, apple juice, clear soda, or clear broth.
- You may take your medication at your normal time with water.
- Typically a CT scan procedure will last approximately 15 minutes to an hour depending upon to the study to be performed.
- For a abdomen CT scan with oral contrast, it could take up to 1 hour and 15 minutes. Oral contrast mixed with clear water is administered orally over period of an hr after which CT is performed.
- No radiation remains in your body after the CT scan and chances of developing radiation related complications are very rare.
- You shouldn't experience any after-effects from a CT scan and can usually go home soon afterwards. You can eat and drink, go to work and drive as normal.
- If a contrast was used, you may be advised to wait in for 30min post CT just to check out for any contrast related allergy.