CT Scan: What is it? A CT scan is an X-ray examination of a part of your body that produces computer-generated, cross-sectional images of your insides. It may require an intravenous injection of contrast medium into a vein, usually at your elbow or the back of your hand.

What You Must Tell Us Beforehand:

• If you have had an adverse reaction to a previous contrast injection or other drugs.
• If you have any renal impairment.
• We will ask you to complete a questionnaire before the examination and sign a consent form for the contrast injection if it is required.

Preparation:

• Spine, Bones, and Joints: No preparation required.
• Head and Chest: Fast for 4 hours.
• Abdomen and Pelvis: Fast for 4 hours. One hour before your examination, drink 1 litre of water over 15 minutes.
• CT Angiography: Fast for 4 hours.

Complications: Allergic reactions to contrast material can occur, but significant reactions are rare and generally respond to adrenaline. Our staff members are equipped and trained 

to treat contrast reactions.

Your Images and Report: After your examination, you will be given a copy of the most pertinent images from your study. A report will be provided with the images or sent directly to your referring doctor by fax or email. We will store digital copies of all studies on our secure database for comparison with any future examinations. Please bring any previous X-rays with you for comparison. It is important that you return to your doctor with your examination results. Whether they are normal or abnormal, your doctor needs to know promptly so that a management plan can be formulated.

Special Instructions for Diabetics:

• If your examination requires fasting, book an early morning appointment and have your breakfast and diabetic medication after the examination.
• If your examination requires an intravenous injection of contrast medium, we need to know your renal function. Please bring along the results of your most recent blood test creatinine level.
• If you are taking metformin and receive an intravenous injection of contrast medium, you will be given special instructions to follow afterwards.

CT Explained: A CT scan is an X-ray examination of a part of your body that produces computer-generated, cross-sectional images of your insides. It may require an intravenous injection of contrast medium into a vein, usually at your elbow or the back of your hand.

Please Advise Us:

• If you have had an adverse reaction to a previous contrast injection or other drugs.
• If you have any renal impairment.
• If you are, or think you may be, pregnant.
• Please bring your referral, Medicare, and Pension Health Care Cards, along with any previous imaging related to the region being scanned.

Preparation:

• Spine, Bones, and Joints: No preparation required.
• Head and Chest: Fast for 2 hours. Keep well hydrated.
• Abdomen and Pelvis: Fast for 4 hours. One hour before your examination, drink 1 litre of water over 15 minutes.

What Happens During Your Procedure:

• After the preparation for your particular examination and your consent if a contrast injection is to be given, you will change into a gown (except for head scans), then lie on a bed that slides through the opening in the scanner. The bed will go through the scanner once for the planning scan, then once for each scan. Some scans, such as liver CT, may require multiple scans over a few minutes as the contrast flows through.

How Long Does It Take? After the preparation, the scan itself takes about 15 minutes.

• Special Precautions: You may not be able to have the contrast injection if you have had a reaction to a previous injection or have significant renal failure.
• After Your Examination: Have a high fluid intake for 24 hours to flush out the contrast.
• Possible Complications: Allergic reactions to contrast material can occur, but significant reactions are rare and generally respond to adrenaline. Our staff members are equipped and trained to treat contrast reactions.
• Your Images and Report: After your examination, you will be given a copy of the most pertinent images from your study. A report will be provided with the images or sent directly to your referring doctor by fax or email. Rockingham Radiology will store digital copies of all studies on our secure database for comparison with any future examinations. Please bring any previous X-rays with you for comparison. It is important that you return to your doctor with your examination results. Whether they are normal or abnormal, your doctor needs to know promptly so that a management plan can be formulated.

Special Instructions for Diabetics:

• If your examination requires fasting, book an early morning appointment and have your breakfast and diabetic medication after the examination.
• If your examination requires an intravenous injection of contrast medium, we need to know your renal function. Please bring along the results of your most recent blood test creatinine level.

CT Guided Injections: CT guided injections are used to deliver medications directly into an area affected by extreme pain, typically the back and neck. These injections are considered when traditional physiotherapy and oral painkillers have not provided relief. There are three main types of injections:

1. Facet Joint Injections
2. Perineural Injections
3. Epidural Injections

Occasionally, these injections are performed to help diagnose the cause of the pain.

Please Advise Us Beforehand

• If you are, or may be, pregnant.
• If you are diabetic.
• If you have a recent history of peptic ulcers.

Preparation

• Bring your referral, Medicare, and Pension Health Care Cards, along with

• any previous imaging related to the region being scanned.
• Confirm with your doctor whether you should continue taking your normal medications.
• Arrange for someone to accompany you to ensure you get home safely.

What Happens During the Procedure

• You will be asked to lie face down on the CT table, and a planning CT scan will be taken.
• At the area of your injection, you will receive a local anaesthetic.

• The radiologist will place a very fine needle into the exact location to be injected using CT guidance. Medication, including an anaesthetic and an anti-inflammatory, will then be injected into the area.
• The anaesthetic should start working before you leave our practice and will wear off after approximately 8 hours. The anti-inflammatory is long-lasting, with effects lasting up to 3 months, although it may not begin working for several (2-7) days following the injection.

How Long Does It Take? A CT guided injection typically takes around 15 minutes.

After Your Examination

• You may experience numbness in the legs, arms, back, or face, which should last only for a few hours.
• It is common to experience immediate pain relief, with the pain returning around 8 hours later. Relief from the anti-inflammatory may start anytime from 2 days after the injection.
• Avoid exercise and strenuous activity for around 2 weeks.

Your Images and Report

• After your examination, you will be given a copy of the most pertinent images from your study. A report will be provided with the images or sent directly to your referring doctor by fax or email.
• We will store digital copies of all studies on our secure database for comparison with any future examinations.
• Please bring any previous imaging with you for comparison.
• It is important that you return to your doctor with your examination results.
• Whether they are normal or abnormal, your doctor needs to know promptly so that a management plan can be formulated.

Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you would like any clarifications, please contact your local practice.