CT Scan

CT scans help doctors diagnose problems associated with illness and injury. The images sometimes aid in monitoring the progress of diseases and guiding delicate procedures and surgeries. They can provide a reliable, clear view of organs, structures and whole regions of the body, from head to toe.

In the brain, the organ of greatest interest to neurologists, CT scans help physicians perform a wide range of important tasks. These include

• Rapidly diagnosing a stroke and pinpointing the location of the blood clot or aneurysm that could have caused it.
• Detecting damage to the brain or skull that comes from a head injury.
• Assessing the size, shape and location of a brain tumor.
• Identifying the location of a potentially fatal brain aneurysm.
• Monitoring the advancement of progressive diseases like Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders.
• Providing clear, detailed images of the brain cavity, which is important when a patient has hydrocephalus.

CT scans also help neurosurgeons plan facial reconstruction and other surgeries as well as procedures like radiation therapy for brain cancer and biopsy of brain tissue.

Of course neurologists and neurosurgeons are not the only medical professionals who rely on CT scans. The same equipment is commonly used to create images throughout the body. Some of the reasons other physicians might request a CT scan include:

• Assessing damage from internal injuries and bleeding.
• Checking the spread of cancer and other progressive diseases.
• Zeroing in on the precise location of a tumor, blood clot or infection. This is particularly useful in biopsies, radiation therapy and some kinds of surgery.
• Examining the chest and abdomen for problems such as embolism, aneurysm, cysts, abscesses, foreign objects, enlarged lymph nodes, infections and others.
• Locating problems in the urinary tract such as blockages, growths and kidney and bladder stones.
• Checking for problems in the abdominal organs, including the liver, pancreas, adrenal glands and spleen.
• Imaging the structures and organs in the pelvic region—ovaries, uterus and fallopian tubes in women, or prostate gland and seminal vesicles in men.
• Examining damage to the extremities, including the arms and legs, hands, wrists, elbows and shoulders, feet, ankles, knees and hips.

Learn about the experience of getting a CT scan and review the benefits and risks of CT scanning technology. If you’ve been told you need a CT scan, contact Baptist Neurology Group at any of our offices conveniently located throughout the Jacksonville area. We’ll be happy to schedule your procedure for you.

CT scans themselves are painless, although there may be some mild discomfort from lying in position on the scanning table or if a contrast dye is used for enhancing the images. The whole procedure usually takes no more than an hour or two, and the scan itself often takes about 10 minutes (in some cases, as little as one minute). If you have a fear of enclosed spaces, Baptist Neurology Group physicians have access to special open or large-bore equipment that’s less narrow. Be sure to request one of these when you make your appointment. You may also be given a mild sedative to help you relax.

Before your procedure: Depending on the area being scanned, your physician may ask you to fast, take a laxative, enema or suppository, or change your diet for a specified period before your appointment. Because you may be sedated, it’s a good idea to have someone available to drive you home. When you arrive, a physician or technologist will review the procedure with you and answer any questions you might have. You’ll be asked to remove any jewelry, clothing or other items that could get in the way. For certain kinds of CT scans, you’ll be given a hospital gown to wear, and your clothes and personal items will be stored securely.

If your scan requires the use of a contrast dye, it will be administered in one of three ways:

• Through an intravenous (IV) line: A needle will be inserted in your hand or arm. You might feel a flushing sensation and/or a metallic taste at first.
• Orally: You’ll be asked to drink the contrast dye in liquid form.
• Through an enema: You might feel full or have minor cramping at first.

The CT scanner itself is a donut-shaped device with a table that slides into it. You’ll be asked to lie on the table—either on your stomach, back or side, depending on the area to be studied. For some brain scans, your head might rest in a cradle that helps you hold it steady during the procedure. For some other scans, a strap may be used.

During the procedure: You’ll be alone in the room. The technologist will run the procedure from a control room and will be in constant communication with you through an intercom. The table will slide into position, and you may hear noises as the images are taken. The camera will be moving around the area to be scanned, taking a series of high-definition images. At certain times, you may be asked to hold your breath briefly. It’s important to hold yourself completely motionless to avoid blurring any of the images.

After the procedure: You’ll be asked to wait briefly while the quality of the images is verified. If you received sedation, you may need to wait while it wears off. If a contrast dye was used, you’ll be instructed to drink plenty of water and urinate frequently to help flush any remaining material from your kidneys. Generally, you can resume all routine daily activities as soon as you feel ready.

CT scans are as safe as other diagnostic procedures that use small doses of radiation like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and x-rays.

In addition to numerous medical benefits, it does pose a few risks. Be sure to notify your physician if any of these situations apply to you:

• If you are or might be pregnant
• If you are breastfeeding
• If you have allergies, especially to iodine or contrast dye
• If you have asthma, diabetes, kidney problems, heart disease, multiple myeloma or a thyroid condition
• If you have metal objects such as surgical clips or replacement joints containing metal in your body
• If you recently ingested barium or bismuth in connection with another diagnostic test

Benefits: CT scans are non-invasive, painless and highly detailed. They can be performed quickly and easily—sometimes fast enough to save the lives of emergency room patients. They can provide detailed images of some tissues that don’t show up well with other kinds of imaging technology. They can sometimes eliminate the need for exploratory surgery and biopsy—all with virtually no side effects.

Risks and complications: A few patients have a slight risk of allergic reaction or asthma attack from the contrast dye sometimes used in CT scans. In extremely rare instances, an allergic reaction could be serious. Notify your physician immediately if you experience swelling in the throat or elsewhere after receiving contrast dye. The radiation from a CT scan is the same as about six months’ worth of normal background radiation.

If you’ve been told you need a CT scan, we’re happy to schedule it for you. Contact us for an appointment any of several locations throughout the region. And if you’re claustrophobic, be sure to ask about open or large-bore equipment. Learn about the conditions we treat and other diagnostic procedures we rely on.