Computed tomography (short: CT) is a modern and powerful examination with x-rays. This method acquires cross-sections of the body.
Computed tomography can provide very detailed pictures of different organs like brain, lung, liver, pancreas and kidneys. With these pictures it is possible to define location and extent of lesions.
Because computed tomography uses x-ray, it is usually not used during pregnancy. If you are (possibly) pregnant, please tell us in advance of the exam.
Metal:
All metals cause some interferences. Therefore you have to take off all accessoires in the examination area that contain metal e.g. hairpins, dental protheses, bra, chains and so on. Belts and zippers of trousers and skirts can stay.
Drinking contrast agent:
For examination of the abdomen you need to drink one liter of contrast agent over a period of one hour. This helps us to distinguish between areas in and outside the bowels. The contrast agent is usually barium sulfate diluted in water. The white fluid tastes like apricot and won´t be absorbed by the body. Therefore there are no known side effects, except a possible light diarrhoea.
Contrast agent administration:
Depending on the clinical question it may become necessary to inject contrast agent into the blood stream. Therefore a cannula is placed in one of your arm veins. The contrast agent is injected using a power injector.
Because the contrast agent is eliminated from the body through the kidneys, normal kidney functions are a prerequisite.
During contrast medium injection, you may feel transient feeling of warmth and a metal taste which is self-limiting without any side effects.
As with any other medication, an allergic reaction to contrast agent may occur. Minor reactions include slight breathing difficulty, cough, and skin rashes and usually do not require any treatment. However major reactions like allergic shock may require active treatment and resuscitation. Most major reactions occur during a few minutes after the start of the injection and immediate treatment is necessary which is readily provided by the attending doctor and his team.
Buscopan injection:
Some CT examinations require bowel relaxation, for which Buscopan is injected. After injection, there may be slight transient difficulty of vision and dizziness. Therefore, it is recommended that you do not drive yourself back.
Contra indication to Buscopan injection is elevated eye pressure (glaucoma) or prostate hyperplasia. If you have cardiac problems (tachycardia) please tell us in advance.
The exam lasts for approximately 10 minutes and is painless.
The steps of the exam are:
• you will lay down on a table which moves slowly through the scanner with a gantry diameter of 80 cm and a length of 40 cm.
• body movements during the exam degrade image quality. Therefore, you should stay relaxed and do not move. You should breath normally unless asked specifically to follow breathing instructions.
• The examination is performed in multiple breath holds to minimize artefacts caused by respiratory movements. The person performing the examination will give you breathing instructions. If you follow the instructions, a good quality examination is achieved. For the specific investigation directed to heart and big vessels, ECG monitoring will be necessary during the examination. After the examination, you will wait for sometime in the waiting room. During this time, the cannula will be removed. If necessary it will be retained for the following investigations being planned on the same day.
Images / Report:
A radiologist will review your images and send the report to your attending doctor.