Computed tomography scan

What is the spiral computed tomography scan?

It is a highly accurate radiography method based on the ability of body tissues to absorb x-rays. During the scan, both the bed with a patient and CT scanners inside the gantry are moving. As a result, the x-ray source moves spirally around the patient.

The method is based on calculating the difference that each tissue shows when stopping X-rays. This difference is picked up by special detectors and is constantly transmitted to a computer. As a result, there is a number of image slices that can be transformed into a 3D image with the help of sophisticated computing.

Spiral computed tomography is used to diagnose a wide range of diseases. The scan is ordered when there are bone and internal organs damages, a suspicion of tumors, blood vessel abnormalities, etc.

CT with a contrast agent

A type of computed tomography that is used to scan abdominal organs, blood vessels, etc. For this test, a contrast agent is injected into the patient’s bloodstream.

CT advantages

• The possibility to scan several body parts.
• Minimal x-ray exposure.
• The ability to obtain a detailed image that helps to see the smallest changes in the structure of internal organs, tissues, and blood vessels.
• The possibility to scan complex areas of a human body – blood vessels in the brain and the structure of the bronchopulmonary system.

What is it used for?

• Head – to identify inflammatory processes, post-injury complications, hydrocephalus, tumors, blood vessel abnormalities, and other circulatory disorders.
• Small pelvis – to identify kidney stone disease, benignant and malignant tumors, injuries, bone, tissue, and blood vessel abnormalities.
• Abdominal cavity – to diagnose liver, adrenal gland, spleen, urinary tract, and other organs' diseases.
• Thorax – to diagnose the diseases of cardiovascular and respiratory systems in order to detect pneumonia, tuberculosis, cancer, as well as abnormalities in the bronchus, lungs, cardiac muscle, blood vessels.
• Neck, spine – the analysis of injuries, diseases of a spinal column, and surrounding vessels.
• Joints, bones – to identify the abnormalities of inflammatory and traumatic origin, their complications, tumors.

About the procedure

What to expect during a CT-scan?

This test is not done at Kivach Clinic. Should a patient need a CT-scan, he/she will be transported to a partner medical institution.

The patient removes all metal objects from his/her body - earrings, watches, bracelets, rings, necklaces, etc. It is possible to have a scan if the patient has a tooth crown.

A CT scanner is located in a separate room. The patient lays down on a table. Nurses provide all necessary instructions. If it is a contrast CT scan, the patient takes a special contrast material orally or has it injected.

The scan is done in motion, while the examined area passes through the scanner. As a rule, the scanning does not take longer than 30 minutes and does not produce any loud noises.

The results and a preliminary medical conclusion are ready within a couple of minutes after the scanning is over.

The information obtained by the scan will be sent to Kivach Clinic so that the doctor can analyze it and make a final diagnosis.

Contraindications

• Metal objects in the body (prostheses, fragments), pacemaker, artificial heart valves, etc.
• Hypersensitivity to contrast material (iodine allergy).
• Mental disorders.
• Body weight that exceeds 120 kg.
• Pregnancy.
• Age under 7.

Question-answer

1. Is the scan safe?

2. The procedure is relatively safe if you follow the instructions of the medical staff. During the scan the patient receives a low dose of radiation that does not pose a danger to the patient’s body.

3. Is the scan painful?

4. The scan is painless.

5. Are complications possible?

6. The scan is not done should there be any contraindications.

7. How to prepare for the procedure?

8. Remove all metal objects from your body.