Learning more about your appointment with
Computed Tomography (CT)
Computed Tomography is an exam that creates detailed images of the body by using a series of x rays taken at different angles. These images provide information about blood vessels, bones and soft tissue organs inside the body, and allow a Radiologist to diagnose diseases, injuries, or plan surgical procedures.
Iodine Contrast: Some CT scans require an iodine contrast solution to be administered through an IV which helps highlight the blood vessels in your body. It is normal for this contrast to give you a feeling of warmth throughout your body or give you a metallic taste in your mouth.
* Please inform your Doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this contrast before *
Please choose from the list below to learn more about your specific exam:
Preparing for your appointment
What can I eat?
No restrictions.
Before Your Exam/Test
Take all prescribed medication as directed.
Please prepare for your exam by wearing loose-fitting comfortable clothing with no zippers or metal buttons and refrain from wearing jewelry for your technologist’s convenience.
You may be asked to drink 500mL of water 1 hour prior to your appointment. You are still able to use the washroom if necessary.
About your appointment
What to expect.
When you arrive at the hospital you will report to the diagnostic imaging department and check in with registration. A technologist will bring you back into a room, where they will review the procedure and you may be administered an IV.
During this exam you will be asked to lie on your back on the CT scan table. Depending on the type of test ordered, you may be asked to hold your breath for a short period of time and to hold as still as possible to help produce clear images for the Radiologist.
How long will it take?
Approximately 15 minutes.
After your appointment
Your radiologist will report the findings to your ordering physician within 1-3 days, who you may contact for the results.
Preparing for your appointment
What can I eat?
No restrictions.
Before Your Exam/Test
Take all prescribed medication as directed.
Please prepare for your exam by wearing loose-fitting comfortable clothing with no zippers or metal buttons and refrain from wearing jewelry for your technologist’s convenience.
You may be asked to drink 500mL of water 1 hour prior to your appointment. You are still able to use the washroom if necessary.
About your appointment
What to expect.
When you arrive at the hospital you will report to the diagnostic imaging department and check in with registration. A technologist will bring you back into a room, where they will review the procedure and you will be administered an IV in order to deliver the contrast solution.
During this exam you will be asked to lie on your back on the CT scan table. Your IV will then be connected to the CT scanner where your contrast solution will be injected automatically on a timed injection. Your technologist will do their best to warn you prior to this happening as you may experience a warm sensation throughout your body including your groin and/or a funny taste in the mouth.
Depending on the type of test ordered, you may be asked to hold your breath for a short period of time and to hold as still as possible to help produce clear images for the Radiologist.
*Allergic reactions to the contrast solution, although are rare, are still possible. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include, but are not limited to itchiness, redness, hives, or shortness of breath. If you experience any sort of reaction during your time with us, immediately bring it to the attention of the technologist, nurse or radiologist involved with your procedure.
If you believe you are experiencing a delayed minor reaction after leaving the hospital such as hives, redness, itchiness, please contact your primary care provider/ordering physician, or pharmacist.
If you believe your reaction is more severe, such as impacting your ability to breath, please seek emergency care or call 9-1-1.
How long will it take?
Approximately 15 minutes.
After your appointment
Your radiologist will report the findings to your ordering physician within 1-3 days, who you may contact for the results..
Preparing for your appointment
What can I eat?
You may eat a normal diet up to and including your evening meal avoiding the following:
- Raw fruit
- Raw vegetables
- Nuts
- Raisins
- Whole wheat products
- Cold Cuts
- Cheese
- Deep fried foods
After this normal evening meal you must start a clear fluid diet. Examples of a clear fluid diet are water, clear broth, clear power drinks, decaffeinated tea or coffee (sweetened to taste, no milk product), pop, Jell-O, popsicles, clear juices with no pulp including apple juice, cranberry juice, etc.
Before Your Exam/Test
Take all prescribed medication as directed.
Please prepare for your exam by wearing loose-fitting comfortable clothing with no zippers or metal buttons and refrain from wearing jewelry for your technologist’s convenience.
For the best results with this exam, your colon must be completely empty prior to exam. To ensure this, before the exam you will be mailed a prep sheet outlining the specific pre-exam instructions you must follow. This sheet is also available here: CT COLONOGRAPHY PREP.
About your appointment
What to expect.
When you arrive at the hospital, you will report to diagnostic imaging for your appointment and check in with registration. You will be asked to wait in the x-ray waiting room until a technologist is prepared to assist you for your exam. Your technologist will bring you back to a private room to review and explain the test as well as insert an IV in order to administer the contrast solution.
Upon arrival you will be asked to undress and will be provided a hospital gown to change into.
A nurse or trained technologist will administer your IV and explain the procedure with you.
During the exam you will be given medication through the IV that will help relieve any cramping. For the exam, a small tube will be placed in your rectum and carbon dioxide will be transferred into your bowel. You should not feel any pain but possibly some mild discomfort. There will be a CT scan done with you lying on your back and on your stomach. You will be required to hold your breath for a short period of time.
How long will it take?
Approximately 20 minutes.
After your appointment
Your radiologist will report the findings to your ordering physician within 1-3 days, who you may contact for the results.
Preparing for your appointment
What can I eat?
Drink clear fluids only starting 24 hours prior to your appointment.
Examples of a clear fluid diet are water, clear broth, clear power drinks, decaffeinated tea or coffee (sweetened to taste, no milk product), pop, Jell-O, popsicles, clear juices with no pulp including apple juice, cranberry juice, etc.
Before Your Exam/Test
Take all prescribed medication as directed.
Please prepare for your exam by wearing loose-fitting comfortable clothing with no zippers or metal buttons and refrain from wearing jewelry for your technologist’s convenience.
For the best results with this exam you will be mailed a prep sheet outlining the specific pre-exam instructions you must follow. This sheet is also available here: CT ENTEROGRAPHY PREP.
About your appointment
What to expect.
When you arrive at the hospital, you will report to diagnostic imaging for your appointment and check in with registration. You will be asked to wait in the x-ray waiting room until a technologist is prepared to assist you for your exam. Your technologist will bring you back to a private room to review and explain the test as well as insert an IV in order to administer the contrast solution.
You will be asked to drink a contrast mixture every 10 minutes for approximately 1 hour until your technologist determines enough mixture has been consumed in order to obtain a quality image from your scan.
For the exam you will be asked to lie on your back, hold as still as possible, and you may be required to hold your breath for a short period of time. Your IV will be hooked up to a machine that injects the contrast solution during the exam. You may experience a warm sensation throughout your body including your groin and/or a funny taste in the mouth.
*Allergic reactions to the contrast solution, although are rare, are still possible. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include, but are not limited to itchiness, redness, hives, or shortness of breath. If you experience any sort of reaction during your time with us, immediately bring it to the attention of the technologist, nurse or radiologist involved with your procedure.
If you believe you are experiencing a delayed minor reaction after leaving the hospital such as hives, redness, itchiness, please contact your primary care provider/ordering physician, or pharmacist.
If you believe your reaction is more severe, such as impacting your ability to breath, please seek emergency care or call 9-1-1.
How long will it take?
Approximately 1 hour.
After your appointment
Your radiologist will report the findings to your ordering physician within 1-3 days, who you may contact for the results.
What can I eat?
No restrictions.
Before Your Exam/Test
Take all prescribed medication as directed.
*You must inform your booking clerk if you take a blood thinner as you may have to temporarily refrain from taking this medication prior to having this procedure done.
Please prepare for your exam by wearing loose-fitting comfortable clothing and refrain from wearing jewelry for your technologist’s convenience.
About your appointment
What to expect.
When you arrive to the hospital you will proceed to our Medical Day Care Department, which is located in Ambulatory Care. There you will be assigned a room for the day and provided a gown to change into. A nurse will administer your IV, take your vitals, go over your procedure for the day and obtain written consent to continue with your documented care plan.
Once you complete these steps in Medical Day Care, you will be transferred to Diagnostic Imaging by a member of Hospital staff. Once in the procedure room you will be transferred to the table and asked to remain lying down. You will be administered a light sedative to ensure a more pleasant and relaxed experience throughout; this sedative allows you to remain conscious, yet comfortable.
Local anesthetic (Lidocaine/ freezing) will be used to ease the patient’s discomfort/pain during this procedure. Your radiologist will use the CT scanner to locate the identified area of concern. They will administer a local anesthetic to the marked area and insert a needle into the identified tissue. Once your radiologist has placed the needle in the correct position, a sample of tissue is then removed and sent to the laboratory for testing.
How long will it take?
After your appointment
You will be required to recover from the sedation in the hospital after the procedure.
A sample of the tissue will be sent to the laboratory for testing, with the results being sent to your ordering physician within 7-10 days.
In that case, you may contact your ordering physician for your results.