"CT" stands for Computerised Tomography, a system which produced xray pictures as transverse (crosswise) slices of your body. This technology allows us to see details of your brain, spine, liver or other internal organs not visible on regular xray films.
Is any preparation involved?
It is possible that before or during the examination you will be given some liquid to drink or you may be given an injection. This oral or intravenous "contrast medium" is sometimes necessary to produce better photographic results, as it will make the organ under investigation stand out in relation to the surrounding tissues. If there is a possibility that you will need to be given contrast medium you will be asked to have nothing to eat or drink for two hours before your appointment. If you need to be given contrast medium by mouth you will be asked to attend an hour before your scan, to allow time for the contrast medium to traverse your intestine. Injection of contrast medium intravenously sometimes produces a short-lived sensation of warmth throughout the body but otherwise the investigation doesn't involve any discomfort.
You will be advised if preparation with contrast medium will be needed at time of booking.
What happens during a Scan?
The CT scanner consists of a doughnut or ring shaped structure called the gantry which contains an x-ray tube and measurement detectors, as well as a table on which you will lie. During your scan the table will move automatically through the ring of the gantry.
Scans are usually completed in a few seconds. Operation of the scanner is controlled from a small adjacent room; however you will be able to see and speak to the radiologist and technologist at all times.
During the scan you will hear the movement of the x-ray tube and detectors as they rotate around you. You will be asked to stay very still and you may be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds. After the scan you can relax and breathe normally, but it is important to remain in the same position and not to move about.
The time for the entire examination varies, but it is usually around 15 minutes.
