WHAT
IS A CT SCAN?
It's a special kind of x-ray that can produce pictures
of a cross section of a part of the body. The word CT
stands for Computerized Tomography. Tomography comes from
the Greek word tomos which means slice or section, and
graphia meaning recording. One analogy is, the patient
is a loaf of bread and each slice is a picture. CT scans
are able to detect many conditions that regular x-rays
cannot. They can often replace exploratory surgery and
other diagnostic procedures. This can save the patient
discomfort and inconvenience. CT scans are also useful
for monitoring a patient's progress during and after treatment.
CT's can distinguish bone, tissue, fat, gas, fluid etc.
They can determine if a growth is solid or fluid-filled,
and if an organ's size and shape are normal.
HOW
DO THEY WORK?
A x-ray tube focuses a narrow beam of x-rays across
the body. The x-ray energy is absorbed differently by
different body structures. Receptors detect
the number of x-rays remaining after the x-rays have
passed through the body. This information is relayed
to a computer and stored there. The x-ray tube rotates
around the body, scanning it. Thousands of readings
are taken by the receptors and recorded in the computer.
The computer analyzes the receptors readings at thousands
of different points and this information is converted
into an image on a video screen.
RISKS
VS BENEFITS
As with any x-ray procedure, radiation is a risk. However,
CT scans are designed to obtain the most information
with the least possible radiation exposure. CT scan
images may give more detailed results than other diagnostic
techniques. CT scans can often detect
the smallest abnormalities, allowing treatment to begin
early, when chances for cure are greater.
PREPARING
FOR THE CT SCAN
You should wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing.
You will want to be comfortable while you wait and during
the test. Since schedules are tight, unexpected
delays may happen, so bring something to do while you
wait. You will be asked to remove glasses, earrings,
jewelry, hairpins and any removable metal in your mouth
for head and neck scans. Depending on the type of scan
you are having, you may be asked to change into a gown
or scrub pants for your procedure. You should not eat
or drink anything for 4 hours prior to your appointment
time as intravenous contrast may be used. You may be
requested to have a lab test performed prior to your
appointment to check to see how your kidneys are functioning
especially if you are diabetic.
For
CT scans of the abdomen and pelvis, you will be asked
to drink 1 quart of sugar free Crystal-Lite / contrast
to "highlight" your intestines on your scan.
The time between when you finish your drink and when
you are scanned depends on your symptoms. On average,
the wait time is 30 minutes before you are scanned.
You may also be asked to drink more as you are being
positioned on the table.
Intravenous
contrast "highlights" the vasculature in the
area that is scanned making certain abnormalities easier
to see. If you have had a previous reaction
to intravenous contrast (X-ray dye), call and speak
with our representative about your reaction prior to
coming in. Depending on the reaction,
we can call your doctor
and have you "pre-medicated" 24 hours prior
to your appointment with an antihistamine and steroid.
Breastfeeding
mothers will need to pump and discard your breast milk
for 24 hours after having IV contrast, as this could
be passed through your breast milk.
Definition
of the different scans
- Head/Brain
-
Images of the brain
-
Sinus
-
Images of the sinuses in your head
(this
is acquired while lying on your stomach with your
head up)
-
Ears
-
Images of the auditory canals (this is acquired in
2 different positions)
-
Eyes
-
Images of the orbital area.
-
Neck
-
Images of the soft tissues of your neck ( not spine)
-
Chest/Thorax
-
Images of the chest (top of shoulders through diaphragm)
-
Abdomen
-
Diaphragm down to top of hips (iliac crest)
-
Pelvis
-
Top of hips (iliac crest) down through genital area
(symphysis)
-
Spine
-
Depends on the area that your doctor
wants examined. MRI of the Spine is used for disc
disease as long as you do not have a Pacemaker.
AFTER THE SCAN
A
radiologist will provide your doctor
with an interpretation of the CT scan images. Your doctor
can then make a diagnosis and explain the findings to
you in terms of your health and treatment.
Your
body will excrete the IV contrast through your urine.
This will not discolor your urine or cause you pain.
This will be gone in 24 hours, so it is important to
drink plenty of fluids to help your body get rid of
the contrast.
WHAT ABOUT PAYMENT?
INSURANCE:
RADIOLOGY CONSULTANTS WILL FILE ALL INSURANCE AS A COURTESY
TO YOU. WE HAVE CONTRACTS WITH SEVERAL INSURANCE COMPANIES.
DEPENDING ON THE CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT, YOU MAY OWE
A CO-PAYMENT AND/OR DEDUCTIBLE AT THE TIME OF SERVICE.
IF YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY DOES NOT CONTRACT WITH RADIOLOGY
CONSULTANTS, WE WILL FILE WITH YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY
AND YOU WILL BE BILLED FOR THE CO-PAYMENT AND/OR
DEDUCTIBLE. IF YOUR INSURANCE
COMPANY DOES NOT RESPOND OR MAKE A PAYMENT WITHIN 30
DAYS, YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BALANCE. (NOTE:
SOME INSURANCE COMPANIES DO NOT CONTRACT WITH ANY PROVIDERS
IN THE AREA). PLEASE CONTACT OUR BUSINESS OFFICE FOR
ANY QUESTIONS AT 227-5130.
PLEASE BRING YOUR INSURANCE CARD WITH YOU TO YOUR EXAMINATION
SELF-PAY:
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR 25% OF TOTAL CHARGE AT THE TIME
OF SERVICE
MOTOR
VEHICLE ACCIDENT: YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR 25% OF THE TOTAL CHARGE AT THE TIME OF SERVICE. WE WILL NOT BILL YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY. PLEASE BRING THE CAR INSURANCE INFORMATION WITH YOU.
WE ACCEPT CASH, CHECK, DEBIT OR MAJOR CREDIT CARDS.
PLEASE
NOTIFY YOUR PHYSICIAN OR X-RAY TECHNOLOGIST IF THERE
IS A POSSIBILITY YOU ARE PREGNANT. RADIATION IS HARMFUL
TO A DEVELOPING BABY AT ANY TIME DURING PREGNANCY.
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