CT SCAN

PREPERATION AND PROCEDURES

WHAT IS CT SCAN

• Computed tomography (CT) scan is a useful diagnostic tool for detecting diseases and
injuries. It uses a series of X-rays and a computer to produce a 3D image of soft tissues
and bones
• To analyze structures inside your body, medical practitioners utilize computed
tomography, generally known as a CT scan. A CT scan creates images of a cross-section of
your body using X-rays and computers. It captures photographs of your bones, muscles,
organs, and blood arteries in very tiny "slices" so that healthcare specialists may observe
your body in exquisite detail.
PREPARATION

• Your healthcare provider will give you instructions on how to prepare for your CT scan.
On the day of the exam, you should pay attention to:
• Arrival: You should plan to arrive early, depending on your healthcare provider’s
instructions. Arriving early helps the testing stay on schedule.
• Diet: Avoid eating and drinking for four hours before your exam.
• Medications: Ask your healthcare provider if you should take your regular medicines
before the CT scan.
PREPARATIONS

• Comfort: You should wear comfortable clothes. You may need to change into a gown
before the exam and remove your watch and jewelry, including any piercings you can
remove. You may need to remove dentures and hearing aids, too. Zippers and metal
objects can obstruct the scan.
PROTECTION PREPARATION

• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to your exam. You may be given a gown to wear during the scan.
Metal objects including jewelry, eyeglasses, dentures and hairpins may affect the CT images and should
be left at home or removed prior to your exam. You may also be asked to remove hearing aids and
removable dental work.
• You may be asked not to eat or drink anything for several hours before your scan, especially if a contrast
material will be used in your exam.
• You should inform your physician of any medications you are taking and if you have any allergies,
especially to contrast materials. Also inform your doctor of any recent illnesses or medical conditions,
and if you have a history of heart disease, asthma, diabetes, kidney disease or thyroid problems. Any of
these conditions may increase the risk of an unusual adverse effect.
PROCEDURE

• When it comes time to have the CT scan, you’ll be asked to change into a hospital gown
and to remove any metal objects. 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. They’ll leave the exam room and go into the
control room where they can see you and hear you. You’ll be able to communicate with
them via an intercom.
RISKS

• CT scans can diagnose possibly life-threatening conditions such as hemorrhage, blood

clots, or cancer. An early diagnosis of these conditions could potentially be life-saving.
However, CT scans use x-rays, and all x-rays produce ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation
has the potential to cause biological effects in living tissue. This is a risk that increases
with the number of exposures added up over the life of an individual.
END
PLACIDO, ALDRICH JUSTIN D.