CT SCAN PREPARATION
Fasting a few hours before your CT scan because the injection may cause stomach upset. To receive the contrast injection, an IV is inserted into the arm just prior to the scan. The contrast then enters to body through the IV.
Prior to most CT scans of the abdomen and pelvis, it is important to drink an oral contrast agent that contains dilute barium. This contrast agent helps the radiologist identify the gastrointestinal tract (stomach, small and large bowel), detect abnormalities of these organs, and to separate these structures from other structures within the abdomen. patient will be asked to drink slightly less than a quart spread out over 1.5-2 hours.
DURING THE PROCEDURE
Most CT scans are conducted as an outpatient procedure. Patient have the test and then go home. The CT scanner looks like a large donut with a narrow table in the middle. Unlike MRI, in which you would be placed inside the tunnel of the scanner, when undergoing a CT, patient rarely experience claustrophobia because of the openness of the donut shape of the scanner. Typically patient lie on their back on the table, which moves through the center of the machine. Patient move through the scanner either head first or feet first, depending on the part of the body being scanned. For certain scans such as sinuses and middle ear, patient would lie on their stomach and go through head first.
Patient must remain motionless for the length of the study, which is typically just a few minutes. The entire procedure, which includes set-up, the scan itself, checking the pictures, and removing the IV if needed, takes 15-45 minutes depending on what part of the body is being scanned.
AFTER THE PROCEDURE
If patient received a contrast injection, the IV is removed from the arm before patient go home. There should be no effects from the scan or the contrast injection. In the rare circumstance that patient received sedation, patient will be sent home once their are awake and alert. Someone will have to drive them home.
Fasting a few hours before your CT scan because the injection may cause stomach upset. To receive the contrast injection, an IV is inserted into the arm just prior to the scan. The contrast then enters to body through the IV.
Prior to most CT scans of the abdomen and pelvis, it is important to drink an oral contrast agent that contains dilute barium. This contrast agent helps the radiologist identify the gastrointestinal tract (stomach, small and large bowel), detect abnormalities of these organs, and to separate these structures from other structures within the abdomen. patient will be asked to drink slightly less than a quart spread out over 1.5-2 hours.
DURING THE PROCEDURE
Most CT scans are conducted as an outpatient procedure. Patient have the test and then go home. The CT scanner looks like a large donut with a narrow table in the middle. Unlike MRI, in which you would be placed inside the tunnel of the scanner, when undergoing a CT, patient rarely experience claustrophobia because of the openness of the donut shape of the scanner. Typically patient lie on their back on the table, which moves through the center of the machine. Patient move through the scanner either head first or feet first, depending on the part of the body being scanned. For certain scans such as sinuses and middle ear, patient would lie on their stomach and go through head first.
Patient must remain motionless for the length of the study, which is typically just a few minutes. The entire procedure, which includes set-up, the scan itself, checking the pictures, and removing the IV if needed, takes 15-45 minutes depending on what part of the body is being scanned.
- For some studies, patient will be asked to hold the breath for up to 20 seconds.
- No metal may be worn.
- What clothing patient wear depends on the nature of the study. For a CT of the chest, abdomen, or pelvis, for example, usually you will change into a hospital gown. For a head CT, patient can wear normal street clothes.
AFTER THE PROCEDURE
If patient received a contrast injection, the IV is removed from the arm before patient go home. There should be no effects from the scan or the contrast injection. In the rare circumstance that patient received sedation, patient will be sent home once their are awake and alert. Someone will have to drive them home.
No comments:
Post a Comment