CT Scanning

The CT scanner is a large, circular-shaped machine. You will be asked to lie on your back on a
motorised bed that can be moved in and out of the CT scanner. The radiographer will position
the bed so that the part of your body being investigated is lined up with the scanner.
While each scan is being taken, you will need to lie very
still and breathe normally. This ensures that the scan
images are not blurred. You may be asked to breathe in,
breathe out or to hold your breath at certain points.
The X-ray unit inside the ring will rotate around you.
Each time it goes round it creates a new X-ray scan.
After each scan is completed, the bed will move forward
a small distance. By taking successive x-ray scans in
this way, a 3D image of an organ or body part can be
made. This can help identify irregularities in the organ.
Contrast medium
For some CT scans, such as those investigating your
brain or abdomen, you may be given contrast medium
beforehand. This is liquid that contains dye that shows
up clearly on the images of certain tissues or blood vessels. Contrast medium helps
distinguish blood vessels from other structures in your body.
Contrast medium can be given in different ways, depending on the part of your body being
scanned. It can be swallowed in the form of a drink, given as an enema in your back passage
or it can be injected into your bloodstream (given intravenously). If your kidney function is
poor, contrast medium may not be given intravenously because it can depress kidney
function further. In rare cases, contrast medium can cause an allergic reaction. However, it is
usually harmless and will pass out of your body in your urine.
Safety issues
CT scans are not recommended for pregnant women because there is a small risk that the Xrays may harm the unborn child.
Children are at greater risk from a build-up of radiation than adults and should only have a CT
scan if it is justified by a serious condition that puts them at an increased risk
CT scans require a much longer exposure to radiation than a normal x-ray. Therefore, they are
potentially more harmful than x-rays due to the greater exposure.

KEY POINTS THAT YOU ARE REQUIRED TO KNOW FOR YOUR EXAM:

HOW A CT SCANNER WORKS

WHAT A CONTRAST MEDIUM IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR
THE RISKS OF A CT SCANNER