These medical examinations use Computed Tomography (CT) to obtain images oriented like a slice of bread through the body part of interest. Your examination will be evaluated by a board-certified radiologist and results will be reported to your physician.

Common Uses for the Procedure
These studies are used to help identify the cause of pain, site and extent of injury, cancer staging and response to therapy, surgical planning and post surgical assessment.

Preparation
When any of these studies are scheduled, your health care provider will be asked several questions to make sure that this exam is appropriate for you.

1)Are you pregnant? If so, or you are unsure, we do not recommend this test since there is exposure to radiation.

2) Do you have diabetes? If so, we recommend that your doctor obtain a blood test to show the status of your kidney function before you have the CT exam. If you take Glucophage or Glucovance for Type II diabetes, and we administer iodinated x-ray contrast for the exam, we will ask you to withold two days of medication after the exam. You may resume your medication after your doctor checks a blood test to show that your kidneys function has not changed.

3) Do you have kidney disease? If so, we recommend that your doctor obtain a blood test to show the status of your kidney function before you have the CT exam.

4) Do you have an allergy to iodinated x-ray contrast? This would have been apparent during a prior administration of iodinated x-ray contrast for a CT study, angiogram, or IVP. We require that you be pre-medicated with oral steroids to reduce the chance of another allergic reponse if iodinated x-ray contrast is provided again. The radiology nurse will call this prescription to your pharmacy.

5) Do you have asthma requiring daily use of an inhaler? If so, we recommend that you be pre-medicated with oral steroids before iodinated contrast can be administered. The radiology nurse will call this prescription to your pharmacy.

Oral Contrast
For most CT abdomen and CT pelvis examinations, we request that you stop byThe Imaging Center at Harmony Campus prior to the day of your examination to pick-up a bottle of oral contrast. Drink the contrast prior to your exam as directed. The oral contrast fills your bowel and helps distinguish it from other body parts.

Iodinated Intravascular (IV) X-ray Contrast
For most CT neck, chest, abdomen, and pelvis studies, we administer contrast directly into the veins. This contrast is used to help distinugish blood vessels and organs. Some patients have an allergy to this contrast (see on this page "Do you have an allergy…?" and "Risks and Limitations").

If you are going to receive IV contrast, we ask that you do not eat or drink anything (except the oral contrast) three hours prior to your examination time.

The Procedure
If you are going to receive IV contrast, you will meet the radiology nurse who will place an IV in your arm or hand. In the CT scanner, you will lie on your back and be given instructions to hold your breath. This is when the imaging occurs. Breathing during imaging will cause blurry images and reduce the quality of the exam. You will spend 5-10 minutes in the CT scanner suite. You may feel warm following the IV contrast injection. If you feel pain or burning at the IV site in your arm or hand, please notify the CT technologist or nurse.

Benefits
CT imaging of the neck, chest, abdomen, or pelvis provides beautiful anatomic detail that is a cornerstone for medical diagnosis. It is fast and non-invasive.

Risks and Limitations of the Procedure
Risks include iodinated x-ray contrast allergic response, acute renal failure or progression of renal failure as a result of the iodinated x-ray contrast, and radiation exposure. We try to reduce risk to patients by screening patients at time of scheduling (please see Preparation for Exams). We use nonionic iodinated contrast for all of our CT exams that require IV contrast to reduce the chance of an allergic reaction. Sometimes the allergic response to the IV contrast cannot be predicted or prevented. Allergic responses can be mild (hives) to severe (respiratory arrest). Fortunately, the risk of severe IV contrast reactions is extremely low.

Special imaging techniques are used for children to reduce radiation exposure. We recommend CT imaging of children only when medically necessary.

I have more questions. Who can I ask about them?
Please call The Imaging Center at (970) 282-2900. The receptionist will direct you to someone who can answer your questions.