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CT Scan Patient Information
Welcome to Tufts Medical Center CT Scan Department...
What is Computed Tomography and how does it work?
Computed Tomography or CT Scan is a fast, safe and reliable method using low doses of radiation to examine the inside of your body. Images are formed by a computer with information obtained by scanning a series of cross sections or "slices" and the slices are then assembled to form a complete picture. CT can detect very small changes in normal anatomy and thus, even minor pathological processes can be identified with precision. Additionally, the images can be reconstructed into a 3-dimensional format to further delineate anatomic structures. Tufts Medical Center has state of the art multi-slice CT scanners to provide you and your physician with the fastest, most technically advanced, high quality exam possible.
What is contrast media and why is it used?
For certain CT examinations, IV contrast media may need to be administered in order to get a complete and diagnostic study of your anatomy. Contrast media is generally well tolerated and you may experience a warm flush at the time it is administered. This is entirely normal and to be expected. However, if you have a history of any allergies, please let us know at the time of your exam. Also, if you have abnormal kidney function, you may need to have pre and post hydration in order to protect your kidneys. Please alert both your doctor and the CT technologist if you have or have had any kidney problems. For this reason, your current lab values for kidney function will be reviewed prior to your being given IV contrast.
If you are having a CT scan of your abdomen or pelvis, you may be asked to drink oral contrast to demonstrate the stomach and bowel. You will be asked to arrive in the CT Scan department approximately 90 minutes prior to the scheduled exam time to begin drinking this preparation. This time period ensures that the contrast will have fully outlined the bowel for an optimum study.
Before the exam...
You will be asked to fill out a medical history screening form when you arrive to the CT Scan department. If your exam requires IV contrast administration, you will also be asked to read and sign an informational consent form. A CT technologist will review this information with you prior to your exam. Please let the technologist know if you have any allergies, or if there is any chance that you may be pregnant. If you are scheduled to have oral and/or IV contrast, we ask that you do not eat solid foods for 4 hours prior to the exam time.
For CT guided biopsy or drainage patients only - you will be asked to have someone available to take you home and you should not eat or drink after midnight the night before. Please check with your physician to make sure that you have had the appropriate lab tests done prior to the procedure.
During the exam...
You will be asked to lie quietly on the examination table during the scan and may be asked to hold your breath for several seconds at various times during the exam to minimize motion on the images. The table moves through an open gantry that is actually a wide circle and non-confining.
For neck imaging, you may be asked not to swallow during the scan. Although the scan takes only seconds to complete, you may be asked to lie on the scan table for 5-10 minutes while the technologist checks the images.
After the exam...
The radiologist will review your images for diagnosis and send a report to your referring physician. Please note: you will need to contact your referring physician in order to obtain your scan results. The scan report is only released to the referring physician, not to the patient directly.
Contact us...
Please feel free to call us if you have any questions about your CT scan exam at 617-636-5961.
More CT Scan Patient Information....click here
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