1. ACME HOSPITAL
Where you are more than just a
patient: You’re family!
ACME HOSPITAL
1313 Mockingbird Lane
Gotham, USA
Switchboard: 555-555-5555
E-mail: ACMEINFO@email.com
FOR MORE
INFORMATION:
Computerized
Tomography at UCLA:
http://radiology.
ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=80
CT Scans from MedLine
Plus:
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/
medlineplus/ctscans.html
International Society for
Computerized
Tomography:
http://www.isct.org/
The CT
SCAN and
You
What you need to know

2. WHAT TO EXPECT
Position: You will be helped up on the
table. You will lie flat on your back while the
computer is taking pictures. Belts or pillows
may be used to help with safety and
positioning. If you are female, a lead apron
may be placed over your abdomen.
Contrast Dye: If your doctor has
requested contrast, you will be given the dye
through an IV in your arm. The dye will
cause you to feel a warm, flushing sensation
throughout your body. You may feel like you
need to pee.
The Procedure: The table will move
quickly in and out of the machine, so the
machine can find the right place to take
pictures. Once the machine finds the right
place, the table will move slowly.
You will hear whirring and buzzing as the
machine takes pictures.
You may be asked to hold your breath at
times.
The procedure should last 10-15 minutes.
AFTER THE PROCEDURE
You may remain on the table for a few
minutes so that the technologist can make
sure the images are clear.
If you have had contrast dye, you may be
asked to remain at the facility so you can be
monitored for a reaction. You will also need
to drink 6-8 glasses of water to help
eliminate the dye from your system.
Your images will be sent to a radiologist,
who will analyze them. The radiologist will
send the results to your doctor. The results
usually take less than a week to arrive.
Call your doctor after you have the
procedure to schedule a follow-up
appointment.
TELL YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU:
Have seafood allergies: Your doctor may
order a CT scan with contrast dye. The
contrast dye contains iodine, which can
trigger a severe reaction.
May be pregnant: X-rays can affect your
baby’s growth.
Are breastfeeding: If you receive contrast
dye, you will need to wait 24 hours after the
procedure to breastfeed.
Have recent illnesses or medical
conditions such as: heart disease,
asthma, diabetes, kidney disease or a
thyroid problem. These conditions could
increase the risk of a reaction to the scan.
Are claustrophobic: Your doctor may
prescribe a mild sedative to help calm you
during the procedure.
HOW TO PREPARE
Clothing: Wear loose clothing. Depending
on the type of scan you need, you may be
provided a hospital gown. Do not wear
jewelry or makeup. Doing so may interfere
with scan. Ask your doctor about wearing
hearing aids and false teeth.
Eating/Drinking: You may have a
restriction on eating or drinking before the
scan. Make sure to ask your doctor.
Have recent illnesses or medical
conditions such as: heart disease,
asthma, diabetes, kidney disease or a
thyroid problem. These conditions could
increase the risk of a reaction to the scan.
the machine finds the right place, the table
will move slowly.
What is a CT Scan?
“CT” stands for “computerized
tomography.” All this means is that a
computer will take pictures of your
insides.
CT scans are like fast cameras, quickly
taking a series of images. The difference
is that a CT scan uses X-ray images.
The CT scan will take several images of
your body, all at different angles.
Computer processing used by the CT
scanner will combine those images into
cross-sections, or “slices” of your body
so your doctor has a precise image of
what is going on in the area he wants to
look at.
Your doctor may request that you have a
CT scan “with contrast.” This means that
your doctor wants you have an injection
of dye.