Computed Tomography (CT) Scan

A Cardiac CT scan is a dedicated CT study of the heart.

Preparation for Your Exam

Please do not eat solid foods for at least three hours before your test. You may, however drink clear liquids during this time as well as take your usual medications.

For your exam you may be required to receive IV contrast (dye). IV contrast is an iodine based solution that is injected into your veins and appears very bright (white) on a CT image. This contrast allows for enhanced visualization of the blood vessels in your body. IV contrast is filtered from your blood by your kidneys and will be passed, unnoticed, from your body in your urine.

It is important that you inform the technologist before your exam if:

• You have had IV contrast before
• You have asthma
• You are allergic to any foods or medications
• You may be pregnant or breastfeeding
• You are diabetic and taking Glucophage (metformin)

During The Exam

For a chest CT exam you will be asked to remove all clothing from the waist up and replace them with a hospital gown. You will be asked to lye on a CT table. Depending on the reason for your chest CT you may or may not have an IV started for the administration of IV contrast at this time. During the scan you will be asked to follow simple, but specific, breathing instructions. Because this study is taking pictures of your lungs and the anatomy closely surrounding them, it is very important that you follow these breathing instructions to the best of your ability.

How long will it take?

This is different for everyone, however, on average, it should take 15-30 minutes from the time you enter the room.

After The Exam

You may resume your normal daily routine after your exam. If you were given IV contrast for your exam, be sure to increase your fluid intake to help clear the material from your system.

Getting Your Results

The CT examination will first be viewed by a radiologist who will send a report to your doctor. Your doctor should have access to your exam results within 24 hours.

A Chest CT scan is a dedicated CT study of the chest (i.e., Lungs, Heart, Great Vessels, Bones).

Preparation for Your Exam

Please do not eat solid foods for at least three hours before your test. You may, however drink clear liquids during this time as well as take your usual medications.

For your exam you may be required to receive IV contrast (dye). IV contrast is an iodine based solution that is injected into your veins and appears very bright (white) on a CT image. This contrast allows for enhanced visualization of the blood vessels in your body. IV contrast is filtered from your blood by your kidneys and will be passed, unnoticed, from your body in your urine.

It is important that you inform the technologist before your exam if:

• You have had IV contrast before
• You have asthma
• You are allergic to any foods or medications
• You may be pregnant or breastfeeding
• You are diabetic and taking Glucophage (metformin)

During The Exam

For a chest CT exam you will be asked to remove all clothing from the waist up and replace them with a hospital gown. You will be asked to lye on a CT table. Depending on the reason for your chest CT you may or may not have an IV started for the administration of IV contrast at this time. During the scan you will be asked to follow simple, but specific, breathing instructions. Because this study is taking pictures of your lungs and the anatomy closely surrounding them, it is very important that you follow these breathing instructions to the best of your ability.

How long will it take?

This is different for everyone, however, on average, it should take 15-30 minutes from the time you enter the room.

After The Exam

You may resume your normal daily routine after your exam. If you were given IV contrast for your exam, be sure to increase your fluid intake to help clear the material from your system.

Getting Your Results

The CT examination will first be viewed by a radiologist who will send a report to your doctor. Your doctor should have access to your exam results within 24 hours.

A CT angiography is a specialized exam which involves fast CT imaging while simultaneously injecting IV contrast into a vein in your arm. This allows for visualization of specific vascular anatomy of the organs in your body. It may be used to evaluate vessels or for surgical planning.

What is IV Contrast?

IV contrast is an iodine based solution that is injected into your veins and appears very bright (white) on a CT image. This contrast allows for enhanced visualization of the blood vessels in your body. IV contrast is filter from your blood by your kidneys and will be passed, unnoticed, from your body in your urine.

Preparation for Your Exam

Please do not eat solid foods for at least three hours before your test. You may, however drink clear liquids during this time as well as take your usual medications.

Upon arriving you may be asked to drink 4-8 oz. of whole milk or water before your exam. Drinking milk or water enhances the quality of your CT scan by making structures in your body easier to distinguish.

It is important that you inform the technologist before your exam if:

• You have asthma
• You are allergic to any foods or medications
• You may be pregnant or breastfeeding
• You are diabetic and taking Glucophage (metformin)

How long will it take?

This is different for everyone. Because a CT angiogram is a specialized exam it could take from 30-60 minutes from the time you enter the room.

After The Exam

You may resume your normal daily routine after your exam. Because you were given IV contrast for your exam, be sure to increase your fluid intake to help clear the material from your system.

Getting Your Results

In most cases CT angiography requires sophisticated image processing on special computers after you have left the hospital. Our radiologists will review the results of your CT scan with your doctor who will then explain them to you. Your doctor should have access to your exam results within 24 hours.

A CT guided aspiration/Drainage is an interventional procedure which involves the insertion of a needle into the body in order to remove fluid from an abnormal collection.

Preparation for Your Exam

Please avoid eating solid food and drinking liquids other than water for 6-8 hours prior to the examination. Routing medications may be taken. If you are diabetic, consult with your doctor regarding insulin dose.

You are scheduled to arrive one hour before your procedure to allow for preparation. If your procedure is scheduled on the West campus, you will report to the Day Care unit on the 8th floor of the Farr Building. If your procedure is scheduled on the East campus, you will report to the Radiology Department on the 3 ^rd floor of the Rabb Building. Upon arriving you will have a complete pre-procedure workup performed by the Radiology nursing staff. This workup involves starting an IV, drawing blood, and meeting with the Radiologist to discuss the procedure details and obtain your written consent.

What happens in the CT room?

You will be brought into the CT room and asked to lie on an x-ray table. A CT scan of your body will be taken to determine the best area of approach to the fluid collection of interest. The Radiologist will then clean off the skin, over the determined area of interest, with a special soap. You will be given numbing medication in the skin through a small needle. You will feel a pinch as the numbing medicine is injected. You should not feel any pain after this. The Radiologist will then insert a small needle through the numbed area of skin and into the fluid collection. You may feel some pressure when this happens. Once the needle is in the right place, the fluid will then be removed. The needle will then be removed and your skin will be cleaned off again, a Band-Aide will be applied over the spot.

Will it hurt

There may be some discomfort associated with this procedure. Many cases can be performed with a local anesthesia (similar to Novocaine used by dentists). More involved cases generally will require the administration of painkillers and/or anti-anxiety medications. The most involved procedures generally will involve insertion of a small intravenous line and monitoring by our Radiology nursing staff in order to administer medications intravenously. Every effort is made to minimize any discomfort during the procedure.

How long will it take?

Interventional procedures in general last anywhere from 30-90 minutes, depending on the size of the area of interest and the amount of fluid being removed. This particular procedure will necessitate a post-procedure observation period of 2-4 hours to ensure no complications resulting from the procedure.

After The Exam

You should feel well, but may experience some tenderness around the area that the needle was inserted. Here are some guidelines for how to care for yourself after this procedure:

• Take it easy. Do not strain, lift heavy objects, or do physical exercise for the first 24 hours after your procedure.
• Please do not take aspirin or aspirin-like products (i.e. Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, or Aleve) for 3 weeks unless your doctor says it's all right.
• Keep the area of skin around the insertion site clean and dry.

Getting Your Results

The pathology results from the tissue samples collected will be sent to your doctor about 7 days after the biopsy. He (She) will then discuss them with you.

A CT guided biopsy is an interventional procedure which involves the insertion of a biopsy needle into the body in order to collect a tissue sample from the area of interest.

Preparation for Your Exam

Please avoid eating solid foods and drinking liquids other than water for 6-8 hours prior to the examination. Routing medications may be taken. If you are diabetic, consult with your doctor regarding insulin dose.

You are scheduled to arrive one hour before your procedure to allow for preparation. If your procedure is scheduled on the West campus, you will report to the Day Care unit on the 8th floor of the Farr Building. If your procedure is scheduled on the East campus, you will report to the Radiology department on the 3 ^rd floor of the Rabb Building. Upon arriving you will have a complete pre-procedure workup performed by the Radiology nursing staff. This workup involves starting an IV, drawing blood, and meeting with the radiologist to discuss the biopsy procedure and obtain your written consent.

What happens in the CT room?

You will be brought into the CT room and asked to lie on an x-ray table. A CT scan of your body will be taken to determine the best area of approach to the tissue of interest. The radiologist will then clean off the skin over the determined area of interest with a special soap. You will be given numbing medication in the skin through a small needle. You will feel a pinch as the numbing medicine is injected. You should not feel any pain after this. The radiologist will then insert a small biopsy needle through the numbed area of skin and into the tissue of interest. You may feel some pressure when this happens. Once the needle is in the right place small tissue samples will be taken and later examined by the Pathology Department. The biopsy needle will then be removed and your skin will be cleaned off again, a Band-Aide will be applied over the spot.

Will it hurt

There may be some discomfort associated with this procedure. Many cases can be performed with a local anesthesia (similar to Novocaine used by dentists). More involved cases generally will require the administration of painkillers and/or anti-anxiety medications. The most involved procedures generally will involve insertion of a small intravenous line and monitoring by our Radiology nursing staff in order to administer medications intravenously. Every effort is made to minimize any discomfort during the procedure.

How long will it take?

Interventional procedures in general last anywhere from 30-90 minutes, depending on the size of the area of interest and the number of tissue samples being taken. A CT biopsy will necessitate a post-procedure observation period of 2-4 hours to ensure no complications resulting from the biopsy.

After The Exam

You should feel well, but may experience some tenderness around the area that the biopsy needle was inserted.

Here are some guidelines for how to care for yourself after the biopsy:

• Take it easy. Do not strain, lift heavy objects, or do physical exercise for the first 24 hours after your biopsy.
• Please do not take aspirin or aspirin-like products (i.e. Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, or Aleve) for 3 weeks unless your doctor says it's all right.
• Keep the area of skin around the site clean and dry.

Getting Your Results

The pathology results from the tissue samples collected will be sent to your doctor about 7 days after the biopsy. He (She) will then discuss them with you.

A CT guided radiofrequency (RF) ablation is an interventional procedure which involves the insertion of a needle electrode into a tumor through the skin. Radiofrequency wave energy is then passed through the needle into the tumor. This wave energy causes friction which produces heat, this heat, in turn, induces coagulation necrosis and tumor cell death.

Preparation for Your Exam

Please avoid eating solid foods and drinking liquids other than water for 6-8 hours prior to the examination. Routine medications may be taken. If you are diabetic, consult with your doctor regarding insulin dose.

You are scheduled to arrive one hour before your procedure to allow for preparation. Your procedure is scheduled on the West campus and you are expected to report to the Day Care unit on the 8th floor of the Farr Building. Upon arriving you will have a complete pre-procedure workup performed by the Radiology nursing staff. This work-up involves starting an IV, drawing blood, and meeting with the radiologist to discuss the ablation procedure and obtain your written consent. Once these pre-procedure steps have been completed you will be taken to the CT Department.

During The Exam

You will be brought into the CT room and asked to lie on an x-ray table. A CT scan of your body will be taken to determine the best area of approach to the tumor of interest. The radiologist will then clean off the skin over the determined area of interest with a special soap. You will be given numbing medication in the skin through a small needle. You will feel a pinch as the numbing medicine is injected. You should not feel any pain after this. The radiologist will then insert a needle electrode through the numbed area of skin and into the tumor of interest. You may feel some pressure when this happens. Once the needle is in the center of the tumor RF energy waves will be transmitted into the tumor through the needle electrode. Once the tumor cells have been destroyed, the needle electrode will then be removed and your skin will be cleaned off again, a Band-Aide will be applied over the spot.

How long will it take?

RF ablation procedures vary in length of time, depending on the size and number of tumors being treated. In general, an RF ablation procedure will last 1 and ½ hours. An RF ablation will necessitate a post-procedure observation period of 2-4 hours to ensure no complications resulting from the procedure.

Will it hurt

There may be some discomfort associated with this procedure. Most cases will require the administration of painkillers and/or anti-anxiety medications. The most involved procedures generally will involve insertion of a small intravenous line and monitoring by our Radiology nursing staff in order to administer medications intravenously. Every effort is made to minimize any discomfort during the procedure.

After The Exam

You should feel well, but may experience some tenderness around the area that the needle electrode was inserted.

Here are some guidelines for how to care for yourself after the ablation:

• Take it easy. Do not strain, lift heavy objects, or do physical exercise for the first 24 hours after your procedure.
• Please do not take aspirin or aspirin-like products (i.e. Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, or Aleve) for 3 weeks unless your doctor says it's all right.
• Keep the area of skin around the insertion site clean and dry.

Getting Your Results

You will be given initial results after the ablation procedure is completed by the performing radiologist. However, follow-up CT scans will need to be performed at later dates to actively monitor the tumor's response to the RF ablation procedure.

A head CT is an imaging procedure that examines the brain and its surrounding anatomy.

Preparation for Your Exam

Please do not eat solid foods for at least three hours before your test. You may, however drink clear liquids during this time as well as take your usual medications.

For your exam you may be required to receive IV contrast (dye). IV contrast is an iodine based solution that is injected into your veins and appears very bright (white) on a CT image. This contrast allows for enhanced visualization of the blood vessels in your body. IV contrast is filtered from your blood by your kidneys and will be passed, unnoticed, from your body in your urine.

It is important that you inform the technologist before your exam if:

• You have had IV contrast before
• You have asthma
• You are allergic to any foods or medications
• You may be pregnant or breastfeeding
• You are diabetic and taking Glucophage (metformin)

During The Exam

When you are taken into the CT room you will be asked to lye on a CT table. Depending on the area of your body being scanned you may need to lye on your back or stomach. Like all CT exams it is very important that you hold very still for the duration of the study. This table will move in and out of the CT scanner (a large donut-shaped machine that is open on both ends) while acquiring images.

How long will it take?

This is different for everyone, however, on average, it should take 10-20 minutes from the time you enter the room.

After The Exam

You may resume your normal daily routine after your exam. If you were given IV contrast for your exam, be sure to increase your fluid intake to help clear the material from your system.

Getting Your Results

The CT examination will first be viewed by a radiologist who will send a report to your doctor. Your doctor should have access to your exam results within 24 hours.

A head CT Angiography is a specialized Neuro CT scan which involves fast CT imaging while simultaneously injecting IV contrast into a vein in your arm. This allows for visualization of specific vascular anatomy of the organs in your body. It may be used to evaluate vessels or for surgical planning.

Preparation for Your Exam

Please do not eat solid foods for at least three hours before your test. You may; however, drink clear liquids during this time as well as take your usual medications.

For your exam you will be required to receive IV contrast (dye). IV contrast is an iodine based solution that is injected into your veins and appears very bright (white) on a CT image. This contrast allows for enhanced visualization of the blood vessels in your head. IV contrast is filtered from your blood by your kidneys and will be passed, unnoticed, from your body in your urine.

It is important that you inform the technologist before your exam if:

• You have had IV contrast before
• You have asthma
• You are allergic to any foods or medications
• You may be pregnant or breastfeeding
• You are diabetic and taking Glucophage (metformin)

During The Exam

When you are taken into the CT room you will be asked to lye on a CT table. Like all CT exams it is very important that you hold very still for the duration of the study. This table will move in and out of the CT scanner (a large donut-shaped machine that is open on both ends) while acquiring images.

How long will it take?

This is different for everyone; however, on average, it should take 10-20 minutes from the time you enter the room.

After The Exam

You may resume your normal daily routine after your exam. Because you will receive IV contrast for your exam, it will be important that you increase your fluid intake to help clear the material from your system.

Getting Your Results

The CT examination will first be viewed by a radiologist who will send a report to your doctor. Your doctor should have access to your exam results within 24 hours.

A Torso CT scan is a diagnostic test that combines x-rays with computer technology to produce "cross-sectional" pictures of the body. This exam shows the venous system, organs, bones, and tissues in great detail.

Preparation for Your Exam

Please do not eat solid foods for at least one hour before your test. You may, however drink clear liquids during this time as well as take your usual medications.

You are scheduled to arrive one hour before your scan to allow time for preparation. Upon arriving you will be asked to drink 900-1400 ml (4-6 cups) of barium sulfate. This barium drink enhances the quality of your CT scan by making structures in your body easier to distinguish.

For your exam, you may also be required to receive IV contrast (dye). This contrast is injected through your veins and will further enhance structures in your body on the CT images.

It is important that you inform the technologist before your exam if:

• You have had IV contrast before
• You have asthma
• You are allergic to any foods or medications
• You may be pregnant or breastfeeding
• You are diabetic and taking Glucophage (metformin)

What happens in the CT room?

You will be asked to lie on an x-ray table once you enter the CT room. This table will move in and out of the CT scanner (a large donut-shaped machine that is open on both ends) while acquiring images of your body. You will be required to lie very still during the scan and may also be asked to follow some specific breathing instructions.

How long will it take?

This is different for everyone, however, on average, it should take 15-30 minutes from the time you enter the room.

After The Exam

You may resume your normal daily routine after your exam. If you were given IV contrast for your exam, be sure to increase your fluid intake to help clear the material from your system.

Getting Your Results

The exam images will first be viewed by a radiologist, a physician specializing in analyzing these exams. Our radiologists will review the results of your CT scan with your doctor who will then explain them to you. Your doctor should have access to your exam results within 24 hours.

A virtual colonoscopy is a gentler, minimally invasive CT alternative to conventional colonoscopy. The recorded CT images are assembled using a computer program creating both a 2 and 3 dimensional model that is examined by the radiologists for polyps or other abnormalities. If a polyp or mass is detected, a conventional colonoscopy will need to be performed to remove the lesion.

Am I eligible for a Virtual Colonoscopy?

The only conditions under which you would NOT be eligible for a virtual colonoscopy are if you have had a history of any of the following:

• Ulcerative colitis
• Crohn's disease

Preparation for Your Exam

You will be instructed to follow a 2 day low residual diet in conjunction with a 24 hour bowel prep kit available from the pharmacy. More detailed instructions will be provided to you by the scheduler when you make you appointment.

What happens in the CT room?

A small soft tipped rectal tube will be placed to allow the introduction of air into the colon. You will then be scanned, first lying face up then face down on the CT table. This dual positioning is performed in order to redistribute any stool or fluid which may remain within the colon despite the bowel preparation. It may also be determined by the radiologist whether the use of IV contrast would aid the interpretation of your virtual colonoscopy.

How long will it take?

You should be prepared to spend around 30 minutes in the CT Department the day of your exam. However, the CT exam requires no sedation and takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.

After The Exam

Because no sedation is used for a virtual colonoscopy, you may resume your normal daily routine after your exam. If you were given IV contrast for your exam, be sure to increase your fluid intake to help clear the material from your system.

Getting Your Results

Our radiologists will review the results of your CT scan with your doctor who will then explain them to you. Your doctor should have access to your exam results within 24 hours.