Question 1

WHAT IS A CT SCAN?

Accepted Answer

A CT scanner uses specialised x-ray technology and sophisticated digital technology to produce 3D images of the inside of your body.
X-ray beams rotate around the patient to create cross-sectional images around your body. These ‘slices’ provide detailed information about the bones, blood vessels and soft tissues inside your body.

Modern CT scanners have multi detector array meaning that they can produce multiple slices of the body in a single rotation.
Medscan has the latest State of the Art LOW DOSE multi slice technology CTs available, meaning your images can be acquired faster and at a lower dose.

Question 2

PREPARATION

Accepted Answer

THE FOLLOWING CT SCANS REQUIRE NO PREPARATION:
-Spine (cervical, thoracic, lumbosacral)
 Extremity (hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, foot)
-Kidneys-Ureter-Bladder – “KUB” (typically looking for kidney stones)
-Sinuses/Facial Bones
-Most Brain scans
-Low dose (nodule follow up) CT chest and HRCT 
 
The following scans need an injection of a dye known as intravenous (IV) contrast (see additional information below) and therefore require fasting for 3 hours prior to the examination:
 
CT SCANS WHICH REQUIRE FASTING 3 HOURS PRIOR TO EXAMINATION:

-Sof tissue neck
-Chest  CT or CTPA 
-Abdomen and Pelvis. This includes CT examinations dedicated to liver (“triphasic liver”), pancreas and kidney ( CT IVP) scans.
-All Angiograms

If you are unsure about your preparation, please call us on 02 8861 9500

Question 3

PROCEDURE

Accepted Answer

Patients who are undergoing images of the Chest, Abdomen and Pelvis, Spine and Angiograms will be asked to change into a gown.

Patients undergoing a brain, facial bones, sinus, wrist, elbow, ankle or foot x-ray will be asked to remove any metal or socks around the area being examined.

During a Computed Tomography (CT) exam, you will be positioned on a specialised table that will position you within the scanner. You will have to lie still during the exam and follow the breathing instructions (if any) to ensure there is no blurring of the images. The table will move as the scan will acquired but no equipment will come into contact with you. The technician will always be in contact with you during the CT scan.

Planning images are taken to localise where the scan will begin and end, followed by the main scan which is reconstructed into specific 3D images used by the radiologist for diagnosis.
Each CT scan is tailored specifically for the patient’s needs.

An injection of x-ray dye (Contrast) may be administered through a small plastic tube which has been inserted into an arm vein. This dye is used to highlight the blood vessels in the body and add more diagnostic information to the CT scan.

Question 4

RESULTS

Accepted Answer

After your examination, the images from your study will be available on the Medscan Z-tech app. A report written by our radiologists, along with the images will be sent directly to your referring doctor. Medscan will store digital copies of all studies on our secure database for comparison with any future examinations.  All images are available online with the Medscan Z-link app()

Computed Tomography
(CT)

CT REPORTING

Medscan uses the latest technology and software to ensure the lowest radiation dose possible.