The CT Scan

What is a CT scan?

• CT stands for computed tomography. It uses X-rays to produce a cross-sectional, or ‘slice’ image of the inside of your body
• Click here to watch a quick overview video
• And click here to watch a more in-depth video

Who will I see?

• A small team of radiography staff will look after you during your visit and one of the radiographers will carry out the scan

Is it safe?

• The amount of radiation used varies. It's more than an ordinary X-ray and is the same as the natural radiation we all get over a period of about three years, which adds slightly to the risk of getting cancer. However, please bear in mind that the risk is very small and the risk of missing a serious problem if you don’t have a CT scan is much higher

Do I need an injection?

• Many CT scans involve injecting a substance - known as a ‘contrast medium’ - into a vein to increase the amount of information we can get from the scan. The injection usually gives you a warm feeling around your body and a metal taste in your mouth. There is a very small risk of an allergic reaction, such as a skin rash or an asthma attack, and our medical team are trained to deal with this. You need to let the radiographer know if you've reacted to any other injection given for a kidney X-ray (IVP or IVU) or a previous CT scan

Before the scan

• To help the scan show different organs in your body, some preparation may be necessary and your appointment letter has information about this
• You don't need to prepare specially for brain, neck or chest scans. We may ask you to drink a certain amount of fluid or a special drink before abdomen or pelvis scans
• There are a few simple instructions that you need to follow before the scan:
  • You shouldn't eat or drink if you've been told not to (this will only apply for some scans). If we need to, we'll give you more details when you book your appointment
  • You should tell us if you're diabetic and taking metformin
  • You should tell us if you have any allergies or asthma
  • You should tell us if you're pregnant or breastfeeding
  • You should 'phone us 24 hours before the scan to let us know you're coming
  • You should wear comfortable, loose clothing
  • You should let us know about any special needs you have - for example, if you need wheelchair access, you're hard of hearing, you have poor eyesight or you're claustrophobic

What happens during my appointment?

• When you arrive you should go to the reception desk - please bring your appointment letter which may have details of who to ask for
• The radiographer or another member of staff will meet you and explain the procedure to you
• You'll get the chance to ask any questions you might have
• For some types of CT scans we'll ask you to drink a special contrast drink around one hour before your examination
• We may ask you to change or get undressed and changing rooms are provided
• We may ask you to wear a hospital gown and you should put your clothes and personal items in the container we provide, which we'll keep safe for you
• We may need to give you an injection, depending on the area that needs to be scanned
• We'll take you into the scanning room and ask you to lie down on the scanner table
• We'll move the table slowly so we can position the part of your body that's going to be scanned under the scanner camera
• During the scan we may ask you to hold your breath or not swallow
• The radiographer operating the scanner will be able to see and hear you throughout the procedure

Will it be uncomfortable?

• You may be given an injection of an iodine-based substance into a vein either in your arm or the back of your hand, which may cause a warm feeling for a short while
• You'll feel no pain during the scan, although you might be uncomfortable from having to lie still

How long will it take?

• If you're given fluid to drink when you arrive, you may have to wait an hour before having your scan
• Most scans take around 45 minutes

After the scan

• After your scan you can eat and drink normally
• We'll ask you to wait in reception for 30 minutes after your examination in case you have a reaction to the injection
• You can drive home afterwards and return to work if you need to

Are there any side effects?

• There are not normally side effects, although you might need to go to the toilet

When will I get the results?

• The radiologist will check the scan results shortly after your appointment and will send a report to your doctor or consultant, normally two to four days after the examination
• You'll need to contact your doctor or consultant to get your results two to four days after your appointment

Can I bring a relative or friend?

• Yes, but they'll only be allowed to go into the examination room in special circumstances - this is for safety reasons
• Children won't be allowed into the room while you're having the scan so you need to make arrangements for them before your appointment

More videos from AMTV

Learn more

• CT Frequently Asked Questions - detailed answers to your common questions
• AMTV: Patient Channel - browse our patient video gallery here
• Scan Dictionary - an A-Z of common terms
• Find your location - find your location here
• Arrange a scan - if you'd like to arrange a scan for yourself, find out more here
• Infection control - learn what we're doing to keep you safe here
• Got a question, query or concern? Just contact us, we'd be delighted to help