Mitchell County Regional Health Center Services
Radiology
CT
- What is CT?
Computed Tomography, called CT or CAT scanning is a system that
produces cross-sectional pictures of the body. In order to produce
the images, you will be asked to lie on a table. This table moves
into the donut-shaped hole in the center of the CT machine. The
CT scanner then produces the images and sends them to a computer.For many exams a colorless liquid called an iodine contrast is used to help highlight organs in the body. The iodine contrast is injected into a vein, usually in the arm. During the injection, many patients feel a warm/flushed sensation from the contrast.
This procedure usually takes 30 to 60 minutes.
*If you have any known allergies to iodine contrast, please inform your physician or technologist prior to the exam. *
*If you think you may be pregnant, please inform your physician or the technologist before your exam*
- Preparation for procedure:
-
Head – Do not eat or drink four hours before the exam. The technologist will most likely start an IV in a vein in your arm. This is where the intravenous contrast will be given.
Chest – Nothing to eat or drink four hours prior to exam. The technologist will most likely start an IV in a vein in your arm. This is where the intravenous contrast will be given.
Abdomen – Nothing to eat or drink after midnight prior to exam. Generally, you will be given a 30 oz. bottle of oral contrast to drink prior to the exam. Upon completion of your CT exam, drink plenty of fluids (three to five extra glasses of water) over the next couple of days to assist passage of the oral contrast. The contrast should pass in one to two days. You should not have any problems with constipation but if you do, a gentle laxative should relieve it.
The technologist will most likely start an IV in a vein in your arm. This is where the intravenous contrast will be given.
Pelvis – Nothing to eat or drink after midnight prior to exam. You will be given contrast liquid to drink prior to the exam. Generally, you will be given a 30 oz. bottle of oral contrast to drink. Upon completion of your CT exam, drink plenty of fluids (three to five extra glasses of water) over the next couple of days to assist passage of the oral contrast. The contrast should pass in one to two days. You should not have any problems with constipation but if you do, a gentle laxative should relieve it.
The technologist will most likely start an IV in a vein in your arm. This is where the intravenous contrast will be given. You may also have contrast administered through an enema tip that will be inserted into your rectum. This is done to fill the large intestine (colon) with contrast in order for the Radiologist to see this area better.
If you have any questions or would like more information contact us at:
Radiology Department
616 North Eighth Street
Osage, Iowa 50461-1498
Phone: 641.732.6036
Fax: 641.732.-6038