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CT (Computerized Tomography) Instructions: English

If you are unable to keep this appointment, please cancel and/or reschedule 24 hours in advance by calling 205-930-3278.

Where:	Report to the Radiology Department on first floor of Cooper Green Hospital. You should arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment time in order to be registered.
Purpose:	This test provides a different and more detailed picture of tissue and bone than is possible with a routine x-ray. The scan itself is painless and very safe. Your radiation exposure is slightly more than a routine x-ray. The machine looks like a donut with a large opening. Your body is placed through this large opening when you are scanned.
Preparation:	If you are having a CT of your abdomen or pelvis with contrast, you will be given a bottle of Readicat to take home with you. If you were not given this when your appointment was scheduled, you may want to come by the Radiology Department at the hospital to pick it up prior to your appointment. This will eliminate the need for you to wait 2 hours before your test can be performed. Drink your bottle of Readicat from 2-3 hours before your appointment. It will taste better if it is chilled prior to ingestion. It is important to drink the entire bottle. If you are allergic to contrast, dye, iodine, or shellfish, your doctor needs to know what kind of reaction you have had. This allows the doctor to arrange for pre-medication. You should not eat or drink anything for six hours prior to your scheduled exam. Medications, other than those for diabetes, can be taken prior to your exam. Pills should be taken with only a small amount of water. A list of the medications you take should be brought with you. (If you take medication for diabetes, see the instructions below.) If you are diabetic, tell the person scheduling the study and request an appointment early in the day. You will be asked to complete a questionnaire providing us with some information regarding your medical history. If you have any heart, asthma, kidney problems, cancer, sickle cell disease, or if you are or could possibly be pregnant, please let the technologist know before your exam. Please do not bring children with you to the appointment.
If you are Diabetic:	If you are diabetic and take Glucophage (an oral hypoglycemic medication), you may take the medicine before the x-ray examination but do not take it again for at least 48 hours after the study is completed. Please call your doctor to find out exactly when it is safe to resume taking Glucophage.  If you are diabetic and take any other medication/pill, such as Micronase (DiaBeta/Glynase or Glyburide), Glucovance (Glyburide with Metformin), Metaglip (Glipizide or Metformin Hydrochloride), or Avandamet (Resiglitazone Maleate or Metformin Hydrochloride), you may NOT take the medicine before the x-ray examination and for at least 48 hours after the study is completed. Please call your doctor to find out exactly when it is safe to resume taking the medication. Other medications can be taken prior to your exam. Pills should be taken with only a small amount of water. A list of the medications you take should be brought with you.
What to Expect:	The procedure can take between 10-45 minutes depending on the exact test performed. If you prefer not to change into a patient gown, it is advised that you wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing without metal parts. If you are scheduled for a CAT scan of your head, earrings, glasses, hearing aids, hair pins and dentures must be removed prior to your exam. If you are scheduled for a CAT scan of your abdomen or pelvis, the Readicat highlights the bowel so that your exam is more accurate. On the exam table, you will be asked to drink a special fluid to help visualize the stomach during your exam. Many examinations require that contrast or “dye” be given through a small IV placed in your arm or hand. The contrast may make you feel warm all through your body. Some patients experience a metallic taste during the injection. These sensations last until the injection is completed. You will be placed on a thin table, which will move into position in the scanner. There is a speaker system that will give you specific breathing instructions during the scanning. It also allows you to speak with the technologist. When the machine is scanning, there is a whirring sound as well as buzzing and clicking sounds. It is very important that you remain still during the scanning so that your images will be clear or in focus. Please do not bring children with you to the appointment.
After Care:	After the exam you can resume your normal activities. If you received contrast, or x-ray dye, drink plenty of liquids (water and juices) to help flush this material from your system. If you are diabetic and take Glucophage, Micronase (DiaBeta/Glynase or Glyburide), Glucovance (Glyburide with Metformin), Metaglip (Glipizide or Metformin Hydrochloride), or Avandamet (Resiglitazone Maleate or Metformin Hydrochloride), do not take it for at least 48 hours after the study is completed. Please call your doctor to find out exactly when it is safe to resume taking it. Your doctor will discuss results of your exams with you.
Questions:	Please call 205-930-3278 if you have additional questions.

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