What is CT Scan?

Computed Axial Tomography ("CT" or "CAT" scan) is an easy way of looking inside your body using a special scanner. The images (or pictures) produced are cross - sectional, similar to the slices in a loaf of bread.

During a CT exam the scanner takes many cross-sectional pictures of you. These pictures are created with the help of a computer and are capable of depicting various internal body parts in much greater detail than standard X-ray films.

This significantly enhances the doctor's ability to diagnose a medical condition.

Common uses for CT scan

A CT scan is very accurate for the evaluation the chest, abdomen and pelvis. It is particularly useful in lung assessment. Small tumors or nodules can be detected at their earliest stages, long before they would be visible on a standard chest x-ray. In cancer detection, CT is used to scan for abnormal masses which might be malignant tumors (cancers). CT scans can show the size and shape of a tumor, its precise location in the body and whether it's solid or hollow.


Although a CT scan is sometimes able to tell the difference between a benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) tumor, the final diagnosis is made by a biopsy or other test. When a needle biopsy is performed for cancer diagnosis, CT scanning also can be used to guide the insertion of the biopsy needle into precisely the right location for sampling a tumor. In addition to cancer detection, CT scans have many other uses, including the detection of abscesses, strokes, head injuries and bleeding inside the skull.

How does it work?

The CT scanner contains a large circular-shaped ring that your body quickly passes through on a moveable table. As you pass through the ring, the scanner takes a complete 360- degree picture of you that is sent to its computer. These pictures are then reconstructed to form a complete image of your internal anatomy.

To provide for a clearer picture of certain parts of your body, some CT scans require the use of contrast materials, which are substances that help delineate the different structures inside your body. Two types of contrast materials used are barium, which you usually drink, and iodine, which is usually injected by means of an I.V. (intravenous line).

Patient Comfort

The test itself is completely painless. You will be asked to lie quietly on the CT scanner's "patient table" during the study. Depending on the type of study being done, you may be injected with, or be asked to drink, contrast material.

Because contrast agents contain iodine, which may cause an allergic reaction in some individuals, be sure to tell the technologist or radiologist if you have had an allergic reaction to these agents before, or if you have any other allergies. You may have been given contrast material earlier as part of a CT scan, a kidney x-ray (also called an IVP), or a heart or blood vessel catheterization (also called an angiogram). We use only nonionic contrast exclusively which is less risk to our patients.

Preparation

You will be asked to change into a comfortable robe for most procedures. Metal objects can affect the image, so avoid clothing with zippers and snaps. You may be asked to remove hairpins, jewelry, eyeglasses, hearing aids and any removable dental work that could obscure the images. You also may be asked to refrain from eating or drinking anything for 4 hours prior to the exam. Women should always inform their doctor or CT technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant.

After the test

Patients are able to return to normal activities immediately following the scan.

Results

At Lifescape Imaging - Cypress, we have a radiologist / cardiologist on site for the exam to be interpreted promptly. All of our radiologists are Board Certified by the American College of Radiology. The results will be phoned, faxed, mailed, or delivered electronically to the referring physician. Your referring physician will share the results with you.