CT Scan

Welcome to Central Louisiana Surgical Hospital Radiology department. We are dedicated to providing the best possible quality of care to our patients.  We offer a variety of services related to the radiologic field. We utilize state-of-the-art CT technology and provide Highly trained and experienced Certified licensed technologist to perform your scan.  Our images are interpreted by academic radiologists with expertise experience.

What is a CT scan?

CT scan (or CAT scan) stands for Computerized (Axial) Tomography scan. This means a scan that takes a series of X-rays and uses a computer to put them together. The scan is  painless. The CT machine takes pictures of your body from different angles and gives a series of cross sections or 'slices' through the part of the body being scanned. A very detailed picture of the inside of the body can be built up in this way.

What are the risks of CT scans?

CT scans involve ionizing radiation as is used in conventional x-rays. In certain clinical situations, the benefits of an accurate diagnosis outweigh the risk of exposure to radiation during the exam. We calibrate our x-ray-based equipment and adapt protocols to deliver doses appropriate to children. The narrow beams of radiation used in CT, as well as protective shielding that prevents unnecessary radiation to sensitive tissues, also help limit radiation dose.

What Preparation do I Need for my CT Scan?

If you are scheduled for a CT Scan with IV contrast you should have nothing to eat after midnight. You may take medication with water. Contact your physician if you take medication for diabetes.

IV Dye

Many, but not all, patients who have a CT Scan will need to have a special type of iodine x-ray dye/contrast injected into their veins during the test. This IV contrast helps to highlight certain structures in your body or brain. It helps to visualize veins and arteries and certain tissues, as well as your urinary tract (kidneys, ureter, and bladder).

If you have an allergy to iodine or x-ray dye, please inform us or your doctor as soon as possible. If you are pregnant, diabetic or have known kidney problems, please inform us of that as well prior to your test.

How should I dress?

On the day of your test be sure you where loose comfortable cloths. 

What happens when you arrive for your exam? 

You will check in with the receptionist upon arriving. The front office staff will go through the registration process with you including obtaining copies if your insurance cards and identification. The technologist will call you to the back to prepare you for your exam. At that time an IV may have to be started and you may have to put on a hospital gown. You must take off any jewelry in the area to be scanned because metal interferes with the machine.

Pregnancy CT Safety

Are you pregnant or is there a chance that you might be pregnant? This may seem like a personal question, but if you are a woman of child-bearing age, it's one of the things the radiologic technologist will ask before performing an examination. Radiologic technologists are skilled medical professionals who have received specialized education in the areas of radiation protection, patient care and radiation safety. Their job is to produce the best quality diagnostic image while minimizing your exposure to the x-rays. This is of particular concern if you are pregnant or if you might be pregnant. Once you let the radiologic technologist know whether you are pregnant or you might be pregnant, several different things may happen. For example, if you have been trying to get pregnant or you have any symptoms of pregnancy such as nausea, vomiting or breast tenderness, the exam may be delayed until a pregnancy test is performed.  If you are pregnant and must have an abdominal-area x-ray exam, your procedure may be delayed while the radiologist consults with the physician who ordered the exam.

What can I expect?

Most scans take about half an hour. A lot of that time is to set up the scan, rather than actually taking it. Lying still for that long can be uncomfortable but it is very important to maintain a steady position. If you are getting stiff and need to move, tell the radiographers through the intercom.

Once your test is complete

After your CT scan has been completed, you will be able to resume all of your normal activities. There should be no ill-side effects to keep you from doing this. You will be able to drive.

The only thing we recommend is that you drink plenty of liquids/water after your test is complete. This is so that the contrast dye can be quickly flushed from your body and you do not become dehydrated.

Getting the results

Once we have obtained all of the CT scan "slices" and viewed them on the computer screen, the images will be transferred to the radiologist for review and interpretation. He will then send a report to the doctor who ordered the test. That doctor will in turn discuss the results with you. The study will be kept on file in the Radiology Department for permanent storage.