After you arrive for your appointment, you will be escorted to a procedure room, where you will be asked to change into a patient gown. You should remove all jewelry and other removable items such as glasses, dentures, and hearing aids. Women should always inform their technologist if there is any possibility of pregnancy.
During the exam you will lie on a table that moves into the doughnut-shaped scanner. Your technologist will watch you through an observation window and will be able to communicate with you at all times. CT scans are non-invasive and painless, though you will hear humming, buzzing, or clicking sounds as the CT machine moves to position you. It is very important to follow all instructions and remain still during scanning in order to obtain clear images.
Some CT exams require ingestion of an oral contrast agent or injection of an intravenous contrast agent to allow the radiologist to see certain organs and abnormalities more clearly. The CT contrast agent is an iodine-based material that is injected through an intravenous line. Radiology Ltd. uses only non-ionic contrast agents (the safest kind), but with all contrast agents there is always the potential for allergic reaction. Be sure to tell your technologist if you have experienced a reaction to CT contrast in the past. Additional information on the contrast agents that we use for our exams can be found by clicking on the links below.
After the scan has been completed, you will be able to return to your normal activities and your usual diet unless otherwise instructed. To help eliminate contrast agents from the body, it is best to drink plenty of fluids following the exam.
For your safety and the protection of others, we do not allow anyone other than patients in our exam rooms.
