What can I expect at my first CT scan?
CT scans are painless and fast. You will lie on a long narrow table that slides you into a donut-shaped machine that is open on both sides. A Velcro strap will be placed around you for safety. When indicated, use of a contrast material could be necessary for your exam.
Do you have to take your clothes off for a CT scan?
A CT scan is usually done by a radiology technologist. You may need to take off any jewelry. You will need to take off all or most of your clothes, depending on which area is studied. You may be able to wear your underwear for some scans.
How do you prepare a patient for a CT scan?
Depending on which part of your body is being scanned, you may be asked to:
- Take off some or all of your clothing and wear a hospital gown.
- Remove metal objects, such as a belt, jewelry, dentures and eyeglasses, which might interfere with image results.
- Refrain from eating or drinking for a few hours before your scan.
What do you wear to a CT scan?
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to your exam. You may be given a gown to wear during the scan. Metal objects including jewelry, eyeglasses, dentures and hairpins may affect the CT images and should be left at home or removed prior to your exam.
Is a CT scan scary?
It is common for patients to feel nervous, anxious, and even scared before they undergo CT scans. A patient’s trepidation may be caused by many reasons. This includes claustrophobia, the imaging results, and potential radiation exposure. Their anxiety may be problematic.
Can you drive home after a CT scan with contrast?
You shouldn’t experience any after-effects from a CT scan and can usually go home soon afterwards. You can eat and drink, go to work and drive as normal. If a contrast was used, you may be advised to wait in the hospital for up to an hour to make sure you don’t have a reaction to it.
Can you wear a bra during a CT scan?
Women will be asked to remove bras containing metal underwire. You may be asked to remove any piercings, if possible. You will be asked not to eat or drink anything for a few hours beforehand, as contrast material will be used in your exam.
Can anxiety be seen on a CT scan?
In one study that used CT scans, damage to several subregions of the frontal lobe was associated with anxiety. Another study using MRI technology showed that social anxiety disorder was linked to thinning grey matter in cortical regions.
Will I get claustrophobic in a CT scan?
CT scans and PET scans can trigger symptoms of claustrophobia prior to the scan, with symptoms continuing once the scan is complete even if the patient has experienced this type of procedure before.
Who was the first person to have a CT scan?
A computer uses complex mathematics to process these measurements and construct an internal image of the body, displayed on a monitor. The first CT scanner was built by Godfrey Hounsfield in 1971. It was designed to only take pictures of the brain, and revealed a brain tumour in a 41-year-old female patient.
How long does it take for a CT scan?
The Scan took about 20-30 minutes. During the scan there were recorded announcements ordering me to hold my breath for 10-15 seconds and then to exhale. This procedure was repeated about 4-5 times. The procedure was painless. Two hours later, my doctor reviewed the CD pictures and I got a good picture of my tumor.
Is it good practice to have a CT scan?
Knowing the risks and benefits of any medical procedure is good practice. Most likely, your provider would not recommend a CT scan if any risks outweighed the benefit of being able to get a closer picture of what’s going on inside your body to be able to form a more accurate diagnosis. What can I expect?
What kind of scan is a CAT scan?
Often referred to as “CAT scans,” Computerized Tomography (CT) scans are a type of X-ray that produces cross-sectional images of your body.
