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Radiology Back to Computerized
Tomography
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about CT
Do I need a referral (prescription) to receive
a CT exam?
Yes, your doctor must give you a referral in order for you to receive a
CT exam. However, CT can often be performed on an outpatient basis
without having to admit the patient to the hospital.
Can I bring a friend or a relative into the CT
scan room with me?
No, CT uses X-ray and only the person being imaged should be in the CT
scanner room during the exam.
Can I have a CT imaging exam if I am pregnant?
Pregnant women should not have a CT exam or any X-ray exam, especially
if the woman is in her first trimester (first three-months of pregnancy).
Depending on the condition, there may be other exams available, such as
ultrasound, to help diagnose a medical condition. Pregnant women
should always inform their imaging technologist or radiologist that they are
pregnant or may be pregnant.
Can I breast-feed after an injection of
contrast?
Patients are instructed to wait for 24 hours after receiving the CT
contrast injection before breast feeding again. Patients may wish to
pump breast milk prior to the CT exam ands store it for use during
this 24 hour period. Always check with the radiologist and the imaging
center for their specific recommendations.
Is CT imaging safe?
Yes, CT imaging is considered a safe examination. In general, the
diagnostic benefit of a CT scan usually outweighs the risk of X-ray
radiation exposure or injections of imaging contrast.
How long with the CT exam take?
Most CT departments or centers offer a wide array of CT exams.
Depending upon the type of exam you receive, the length of the actual
procedure will typically last from 10 to 45 minutes. There are a few
CT exams that take longer than 45 minutes.
Will the CT imaging examination hurt?
No, CT imaging itself should cause no pain. CT imaging requires
that the patient remain still during the exam. For some patients,
keeping still for some time may be uncomfortable. The CT exam itself
causes no bodily sensation. CT exams that require the patient to
receive iodine contrast injection may cause slight, temporary discomfort
while the intravenous needle is placed.
Can I move while I am in the CT scanner?
You should not move when you are on the CT table and the images are
being acquired. It is important that you not move the body part being
imaged. Movement causes blurring in the image.
Can I talk during the scan?
You may talk to the technologists or ask a question in between CT
scanning.
Do I need an injection of contrast for my CT
exam?
Not everyone needs an injection for CT imaging. When a contrast
injection is needed, a pharmaceutical contrast agent made of iodine is used.
This is only done when the radiologist and/or the referring physician have
determined that it is necessary for diagnostic purposes. Iodine
contrast is used to make specific organs, blood vessels, or tissue types
"stand out" with more image contrast in the resulting picture. This
highlights the structure of the specific organs or vessel to better show the
presence of disease or injury. The referring doctor provides the CT
center with information about the patient's medical condition and the goal
of the CT imaging procedure being ordered (for example, to diagnose cause of
intense back pain). The decision of whether to use an injection of CT
contrast is made based on this information and the body part being examined.
Will I be enclosed?
No, the technologist is able to see you at all times.
When can I eat?
You may eat as soon as the exam is finished and further testing is
scheduled.
Can I take my medications?
Take all medications before arriving for CT scan. If you are
allergic to iodine, a pre-medication must be injected with contrast.
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