ABDOMINAL CT SCAN
Your doctor has requested that you undergo a test in the CT SCAN department called an Abdominal CT Scan. The information gained from this examination will be important in the diagnosis and treatment of the medical problem you may have.
What Is A CT Scan ?
The word CT is an abbreviation for the words Computed Tomography, and the word Tomography is a combination of two words: tomo - to cut; and graphy - pictures - as in photography. So this study or scan is a series of pictures in thin sections put together with the assistance of a very sophisticated computer.
Is There Any Preparation For The Abdominal CT Scan?
NO. We do not make our patients fast before the scan. The only thing that we ask is that the meal just prior to the scan be light. After your arrival in the department we will give you a large cup of a dilute flavored barium to drink. You will most likely need to have an injection of intravenous contrast too.
Why Do I Need To Drink Contrast And Also Have An Injection?
The contrast that you drink will outline your stomach and small intestines. It is very important to the Physician that interprets your scan (the Radiologist) that we fill as much of your stomach and intestines as possible. If we do not adequately fill the stomach and small bowel it will be difficult for the Radiologist to distinguish between normal and abnormal structures. The injection that you get will allow blood vessels to be seen. The injected contrast also "lights-up" the major abdominal organs (liver, spleen, kidneys, etc.) and gives added information to the Radiologist.
How Long Will My Test Take?
Once you are taken to the scan area, the average time for a scan of the abdomen is between 20 and 30 minutes. Before you are scanned, one of our CT staff will conduct a brief interview with you. This interview will be made up of several questions about your past medical history, surgeries, medications, allergies or special concerns that you or your doctor may have. This information will be important to the technologist performing the scan and the Radiologist. After the interview we will ask you to sign a consent form that allows us to inject the IV contrast material. This consent form tells you about possible risks and side effects of contrast injection. As with any solution or medicine that is put into your body there is a possibility that you may have a reaction to it. Although the majority of patients never have a reaction and the reactions are very mild, we feel that you need to be informed about all possibilities. Once you have finished drinking the oral contrast and your IV has been started you will be taken into the scan room and asked to lay on the scan table. The table will then automatically move into position and you will go into the scanner feet first. You will go in as far as your shoulders. This will allow your head to be outside of the scan circle. The scan of the abdomen consists of two pictures. The first is a preliminary or scout film. This scout film allows the technologist to determine the beginning and end of the scan field. The second picture is the actual scan of the abdomen. For both pictures you will be asked to hold your breath. Typically we ask patients to: "take in a breath, now blow your breath out, and then take in a nice deep breath and hold it" The first picture is approximately 10 seconds long; the second picture will seem long, it is between 25 seconds to 29 seconds.
Why Do I Have To Hold My Breath For So Long?
During that 25 seconds the computer is gathering scan data. At the end of the 25 seconds the scanner will have gathered enough data to make up to 62 images of your abdomen. Each picture shows your entire abdomen in very thin sections from top to bottom. It is like your body was a loaf of bread and each scan picture is the same as an individual slice of that loaf. In fact, we call each picture a "slice".
Are There Any Restrictions After My Scan?
NO. You may resume your normal activities after the scan. We do ask that you have a glass or two of fluid (coffee, tea, soda, water, etc.) following your scan. This will help your body eliminate the contrast material used for your scan. If your doctor has placed you on any type of fluid restrictions, you should check with him before increasing your fluid intake.
When Will I Get The Results Of My Scan?
The scan will be read by the Radiologist (a doctor trained to read all forms of Diagnostic Imaging - X-rays, CT scans, MRI, Ultrasound, etc.) and then typed by our transcriptionist and then mailed to your doctor. This usually takes between 2 to 3 days. If you have any special needs, please let one of us know and we will be happy to expedite this process for you.
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