Ct scan what is it like

They may also be combined to produce a 3-D image of a particular area of the body. The imaging technique can help your doctor:. Your doctor may give you a special dye called a contrast material to help internal structures show up more clearly on the X-ray images.

The contrast material blocks X-rays and appears white on the images, allowing it to highlight the intestines, blood vessels, or other structures in the area being examined. Alternatively, the contrast may need to be injected into your arm or administered through your rectum via an enema. If your doctor plans on using a contrast material, they may ask you to fast for four to six hours before your CT scan. Metal can interfere with the CT scan results. These items include jewelry, glasses, and dentures.

Your doctor will then ask you to lie face up on a table that slides into the CT scanner. While the table slowly moves you into the scanner, the X-ray machine will rotate around you. Each rotation produces numerous images of thin slices of your body.

You may hear clicking, buzzing, and whirring noises during the scan. The table will move a few millimeters at a time until the exam is finished.

The entire procedure may take anywhere from 20 minutes to one hour. Your doctor may ask you to hold your breath for a short period during the test to prevent your chest from moving up and down.

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. If so, your doctor will explain why. Sometimes a follow-up exam further evaluates a potential issue with more views or a special imaging technique.

It may also see if there has been any change in an issue over time. Follow-up exams are often the best way to see if treatment is working or if a problem needs attention. A person who is very large may not fit into the opening of a conventional CT scanner. Or, they may be over the weight limit—usually pounds—for the moving table. CT scanning of the abdomen may not be as sensitive in identifying gallstones as ultrasound of the abdomen.

Doctors prefer alternate imaging techniques such as plain films, gastrointestinal GI contrast exams and ultrasound for evaluating acute abdominal conditions in babies, such as vomiting or blood in stool. For some conditions, including but not limited to some liver, kidney, pancreatic, uterine, or ovarian abnormalities, evaluation and diagnosis with MRI may be preferable to CT scanning. Please type your comment or suggestion into the text box below.

Note: we are unable to answer specific questions or offer individual medical advice or opinions. Some imaging tests and treatments have special pediatric considerations. The teddy bear denotes child-specific content. Please contact your physician with specific medical questions or for a referral to a radiologist or other physician.

To locate a medical imaging or radiation oncology provider in your community, you can search the ACR-accredited facilities database. This website does not provide cost information.

The costs for specific medical imaging tests, treatments and procedures may vary by geographic region. Web page review process: This Web page is reviewed regularly by a physician with expertise in the medical area presented and is further reviewed by committees from the Radiological Society of North America RSNA and the American College of Radiology ACR , comprising physicians with expertise in several radiologic areas.

Outside links: For the convenience of our users, RadiologyInfo. Toggle navigation. What are some common uses of the procedure? How should I prepare? What does the CT equipment look like? How does the procedure work? How is the procedure performed? What will I experience during and after the procedure? Who interprets the results and how do I get them? What are the benefits vs.

Which test, procedure or treatment is best for me? They also use it to diagnose diseases of the internal organs, small bowel and colon, such as: infections such as appendicitis , pyelonephritis or infected fluid collections, also known as abscesses. Benefits Viewing a CT scan, an experienced radiologist can diagnose many causes of abdominal pain or injury from trauma with very high accuracy.

This allows for faster treatment and often eliminates the need for additional, more invasive diagnostic procedures. When pain is caused by infection and inflammation, the speed, ease and accuracy of a CT exam can reduce the risk of serious complications. Such complications may include those caused by a burst appendix or an infected fluid collection and the subsequent spread of infection. CT scanning is painless, noninvasive, and accurate.

A major advantage of CT is its ability to image bone, soft tissue, and blood vessels all at the same time. Unlike conventional x-rays, CT scanning provides very detailed images of many types of tissue as well as the lungs, bones, and blood vessels. CT exams are fast and simple. In emergency cases, they can reveal internal injuries and bleeding quickly enough to help save lives. CT has been shown to be a cost-effective imaging tool for a wide range of clinical problems.

CT is less sensitive to patient movement than MRI. CT imaging provides real-time imaging, making it a good tool for guiding needle biopsies and needle aspirations. This is particularly true of procedures involving the lungs, abdomen, pelvis, and bones.

A diagnosis via CT scan may eliminate the need for exploratory surgery and surgical biopsy. No radiation remains in a patient's body after a CT exam. The x-rays used for CT scanning should have no immediate side effects. Risks There is always a slight chance of cancer from excessive exposure to radiation. However, the benefit of an accurate diagnosis far outweighs the risk involved with CT scanning. The radiation dose for this procedure varies.

Women should always tell their doctor and x-ray or CT technologist if there is any chance they are pregnant. See the Safety in X-ray, Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Procedures page for more information about pregnancy and x-rays. Doctors do not generally recommend CT scanning for pregnant women unless medically necessary because of potential risk to the unborn baby. The risk of serious allergic reaction to contrast materials that contain iodine is extremely rare, and radiology departments are well-equipped to deal with reactions.

IV contrast manufacturers indicate mothers should not breastfeed their babies for hours after contrast material is given. However, the most recent American College of Radiology ACR Manual on Contrast Media reports that studies show the amount of contrast absorbed by the infant during breastfeeding is extremely low. Because children are more sensitive to radiation, they should have a CT exam only if it is essential for making a diagnosis.

They should not have repeated CT exams unless necessary. CT scans in children should always be done with low-dose technique. Radiology departments tailor the radiation dose for CT scans, especially when scanning children. This helps ensure that the benefits of the scan far outweigh any possible risks from the exposure to diagnostic radiation. In some cases, only a CT scan can show the required results.

For some conditions, an ultrasound or MRI might be possible. Any woman who suspects she may be pregnant should tell her doctor beforehand, because there is a risk that the x-rays could harm the fetus. If a lactating, or breastfeeding, mother needs an iodinated intravenous dye for contrast, she should avoid breastfeeding for about 24 hours as may pass into the breast milk. A patient who has claustrophobia should tell their doctor or radiographer beforehand.

The patient may be given an injection or tablet to calm them down before the scan. Your health care provider will usually be able to recommend a suitable facility for a scan. You can check if a radiologist is accredited by searching on the website of the American College of Radiology. X-rays may pose a small cancer risk, but their benefits far outweigh their risks, and they frequently save lives.

This article explains everything…. An ultrasound scan uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the inside of the body. It is safe to use during pregnancy and is also a…. Medically reviewed by Seunggu Han, M. What is a CT scan? Uses Procedure Risks Finding a radiologist A computerized tomography CT or computerized axial tomography CAT scan combines data from several X-rays to produce a detailed image of structures inside the body.

Share on Pinterest A CT scan can help diagnose many types of cancer. Share on Pinterest A CT scan can detect abnormalities in the soft tissue. Share on Pinterest The doctor should explain why the scan is needed, any other options available, and the pros and cons of having a CT scan. Finding a radiologist. Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals.

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