CT THORAX, ABDOMEN & PELVIS PREPARATION IN DEPARTMENT Information Leaflet Your Health. Our Priority.
Page 2 of 5 Information The CT Scan Department is located in the Stockport Imaging Centre, adjacent to the Emergency Department entrance (ambulance bay). Please arrive promptly at the time indicated on your letter and report to reception. If you have DIABETES please inform the Department as soon as you receive this appointment and be able to state the medication you are taking for your diabetes. If you have ASTHMA, HAYFEVER and you use an inhaler as part of your normal medication please bring this with you to the Department. Please see attached letter regarding pregnancy. If you have a colostomy please bring a couple of spare colostomy bags with you when you come. If you need an ambulance please ask your GP surgery to arrange this for you, and tell them it is a 'special appointment. PLEASE DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO EAT OR DRINK FOR 1 HOUR BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT TIME We will try to keep to appointment times but delays sometimes occur due to emergencies. The waiting area is small; therefore please avoid bringing too many friends/relative with you to your appointment. If you travel by car please allow plenty of time to find a parking space and have change available for the meter. What is a CT scan? CT stands for Computer Tomography (scan). It is a special way of producing pictures of your body using x-rays and a computer. Blood tests Most patients having this CT examination will need a blood test to check their kidney function (egfr) before they can be given an injection of x-ray dye; as the dye passes through the kidneys during the CT examination. The blood test must have been done within three months of the CT examination. If there is a sticker on your appointment letter asking for you to see your GP for a blood test prior to your examination please ensure you have this done. If you attend and a recent blood result is not available we may need to delay your examination or reschedule your appointment.
Page 3 of 5 What will happen? On arrival you will be asked to sit in the waiting room and drink a flavoured drink, this will outline your bowel on the scan. You may experience some diarrhoea after drinking this liquid but this does not happen to everyone. THE EXAMINATION WILL START APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS AFTER YOU START THIS DRINK, as we have to wait for the fluid to reach the lower part of the bowel. On arrival you may be asked to undress in a cubicle and will be given a cotton gown to wear. We recommend that you do not wear jewellery as we may have to ask you to remove this during your examination. For your own comfort you may bring your dressing gown and slippers, but this is optional. A Radiographer will perform your scan. You may need to have a small needle put into your arm/hand by the Radiographer/Radiography Helper in order to inject a special x-ray dye for your CT scan. He/she will take you into the scan room and ask you to lie on the CT table. When the x-ray dye is injected it will make you feel warm. When you are comfortable the CT table moves you very slowly towards the hole in the centre of the polo shaped scanner. It is not a tunnel. The scanner will then produce the x-ray pictures. You will not feel anything. You will be asked to hold your breath during the scans in order to prevent any blurring on the image. How long will I be in CT? Be prepared to be in the Department approximately two and a half hours. What happens after the Scan? The Radiographer will tell you when you can dress and go. After the examination you can eat and drink normally. How do I get the results of my Scan? The results of this examination will go back to the doctor who referred you. If you have not heard from this Doctor within two weeks please TELEPHONE the Secretary of the Consultant who referred you. Do not assume there is nothing you need to know just because you have not been contacted.
Page 4 of 5 Are there any risks or complications? The use of low dose ionising radiation may mean that there is a slight increase in the chance of a cancer occurring many years after your examination e.g. 1 in 10,000 (0.01%) for a CT Head Scan, 1 in 1,000 (0.1%) for a CT Abdomen Scan. Although this examination involves the use of ionising radiation, your doctor will have decided that the benefit of having the scan far outweighs any risks. The dose is equal to the natural radiation we all receive from our surroundings over a period of approximately 1-5 years. It is also worth noting that these risk levels only represent very small additions to the 1 in 3 chance we all have of getting cancer. Other risks or complications: Allergy to IV contrast Extravasation of IV contrast Alternatives Endoscopy Barium Studies For further information visit the Royal College of Radiologist s website at: www.goingfora.com Contact us If you need any further information about this appointment please contact the CT Department during normal office hours on 0161 419 4776
Page 5 of 5 If you would like this leaflet in a different format, for example, in large print, or on audiotape, or for people with learning disabilities, please contact: Patient and Customer Services, Poplar Suite, Stepping Hill Hospital. Tel: 0161 419 5678. Email: PCS@stockport.nhs.uk. Our smoke free policy Smoking is not allowed anywhere on our sites. Please read our leaflet 'Policy on Smoke Free NHS Premises' to find out more. Leaflet number RAD76 Publication date March 2015 Review date March 2017 Department CT Scan, X-Ray A Location Stepping Hill Hospital