Computed tomography (CT) scan

When you get your CT scan at a 蒙太奇的健康 location, you’ll benefit from qualified staff, 先进的设备, and proper procedures that help ensure accurate results. 我们医院, Community 医院 of the Monterey Peninsula, holds accreditation in CT imaging from the American College of 放射学, which sets nationwide testing standards.

什么是CT检查?

CT technology uses X-rays and a computer to create many images of the inside of your body. 也叫CAT扫描, CT检查能显示你的器官, 骨头, 软组织, and blood vessels in more clarity and detail than an X-ray test. The images may help your doctor diagnose a condition, 治疗计划, or see how well a treatment is working.

CT扫描的类型

Your doctors can use CT imaging for many tests, including:

• 血管造影 – Checks the health of your blood vessels
• 钙评分扫描 – Looks for buildup of calcium-filled plaque in your heart arteries
• CT结肠镜 – Examines your large intestine for polyps (lumps) that could be cancer
• CT肺部扫描 – Looks for early signs of lung cancer in current or former heavy smokers

在安排CT扫描之前

When you receive a referral for a CT exam, tell your doctor if you:

• 可能怀孕了
• 有健康问题, 比如哮喘, 糖尿病, 心脏病, 肾脏疾病, 或者甲状腺问题

会发生什么

Learn what to expect before, during, and after your CT exam.

准备

To make sure your test goes smoothly and the results are accurate, you should:

• Follow any instructions you may receive on fasting (avoiding food or drink) before the test
• Leave jewelry, hairpins, watches, or any accessories with metal at home. If you wear glasses or hearing aids, you may need to remove them before the exam
• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. You may receive a gown to change into for the test

对比染料

Depending on the type of exam, your care team may use a special dye to make certain organs or parts of the body show up better in the images. You might swallow this dye or get it through an intravenous (IV) line. After receiving it, you may feel warm or have a metallic taste in your mouth for a few minutes.

定位

You’ll lie on an exam table that will move into the CT scanner. A technologist may use pillows or gentle straps to help you stay in the right position throughout the test.

扫描过程中

The exam table will move slowly through the machine as it takes pictures for about 30 minutes. Keep still to ensure clear images. You may need to hold your breath a few times, depending on the part of the body under examination.

CT检查后

If your test uses contrast dye, your care team may ask you to stay for a short time after the test to monitor you for side effects, 如发痒或肿胀. If your test doesn’t use contrast dye, you can likely return to your normal activities right away.

辐射安全

Trust your care team to protect you by using the lowest possible dose of radiation needed for clear CT images. 蒙太奇的健康 imaging locations:

• Provide breast and thyroid shields to reduce radiation exposure to those areas
• Have dose-reduction technology on CT scanners so your care team can customize the dose for your procedure

Community 医院 of the Monterey Peninsula uses less radiation on average than other Bay Area hospitals, according to the ACR’s National Dose Registry.