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Computed Tomography Scan
Anna Jaques Hospital boasts a new state-of-the-art GE Lightspeed Computed Tomography (CT) Scanning system at the hospital in Newburyport. This scanner allows doctors to simultaneously view multiple, wafer-thin images of a patient's, spine, head, abdomen, and chest, without requiring any kind of invasive procedure. This results in high-resolution images that aid in more accurate diagnoses of patients than was previously possible.
Anna Jaques Hospital boasts a new state-of-the-art GE Lightspeed Computed Tomography (CT) Scanning system at the hospital in Newburyport. This scanner allows doctors to simultaneously view multiple, wafer-thin images of a patient's, spine, head, abdomen, and chest, without requiring any kind of invasive procedure. This results in high-resolution images that aid in more accurate diagnoses of patients than was previously possible.
According to Richard Rosin, M.D., chief radiologist at Anna Jaques Hospital, the new equipment provides Anna Jaques Hospital with a vastly improved image quality and offers an entry into new applications such as CT angiography, cardiology, and CT colongraphy.
Anna Jaques hospital uses a Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS) online at the hospital and our off-site imaging centers in Amesbury, Haverhill, and the Towle Building in Newburyport. This systems helps physicians more efficiently and easily access image archives by computer, including diagnostic images for X-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds, MRI's and PET scans.
The location of our radiological services for CT Scans, along with hours of service and contact information are included below:
Anna Jaques Hospital
7 days a week, Hours: 8 am - 5 pm
Please call to schedule your appointment, 978-463-1121
7 days a week, Hours: 8 am - 5 pm
Please call to schedule your appointment, 978-463-1121
Test Overview
A computed tomography (CT) scan uses X-rays to produce detailed pictures of structures inside the body. A CT scan is also called a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan.
A computed tomography (CT) scan uses X-rays to produce detailed pictures of structures inside the body. A CT scan is also called a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan.
A CT scanner directs a series of X-ray pulses through the body. Each X-ray pulse lasts only a fraction of a second and represents a "slice" of the organ or area being studied. The slices or pictures are recorded on a computer and can be saved for further study or printed out as photographs.
Dense tissues, such as bones, appear white in the pictures produced by a CT scan. Less dense tissues, such as brain tissue or muscles, appear in shades of gray. Fluid-filled spaces, such as the openings in the brain (ventricles), appear dark gray. Air-filled spaces, such as the facial sinus cavities, appear black.
For a CT scan of the head, your head is positioned in a doughnut-shaped CT scanner. The scanner can tilt and the X-ray device within it can rotate to obtain the views needed. For a head scan, 10 to 30 slices (images) are usually taken. The results are highly detailed images of the head, including the brain and bones of the skull.
A CT scan of the head can provide limited information about the eyes (orbits), facial bones, and the air-filled cavities (sinuses) within the bones around the nose. If these areas are of concern, CT scanning of the face (including 30 to 60 more images) is necessary.
Sometimes a dye that contains iodine (contrast material) is injected into the blood during a CT scan of the head. The dye makes blood vessels and other structures inside the head more visible on the CT scan images.
Why It Is Done
A CT scan of the head is done to:
A CT scan of the head is done to:
- Evaluate symptoms, such as confusion, paralysis, numbness, vision problems, vertigo, or headaches, that might indicate a brain injury, a brain tumor, a ruptured aneurysm, or bleeding within the skull.
- Assess bleeding that may require surgery or alter treatment after a head injury or stroke.
- Determine the extent of damage caused by a stroke and to help determine the effectiveness of treatment for a stroke.
- Help determine the cause of a loss of consciousness or a decreasing level of consciousness.
- Detect blood clots, tumors, bleeding, infection, or increased pressure in the skull or brain.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of treatment for a brain tumor.
CT scans of the eyes, facial area, and sinuses may be done to:
- Investigate problems of the eyes and the optic nerve. The test may detect fractures of the bones around the eyes or foreign objects in the eye.
- Investigate problems of the middle ear bones and the auditory nerve.
- Evaluate problems or diseases of the air-filled cavities in the bones around the nose (sinuses).
- Evaluate problems with the bones and joints of the jaw, face, and skull, such as temporomandibular disorder or Paget's disease.
How To Prepare
Before the CT scan, tell your health professional if you:
Before the CT scan, tell your health professional if you:
- Are allergic to the iodine dye used in the contrast material or any other substance that contains iodine. Also tell your health professional if you have asthma, are allergic to any medications, or have ever had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) from any substance, such as the venom from a bee sting or from eating shellfish.
- Have a heart condition, such as heart failure.
- Have diabetes, especially if you take metformin (Glucophage) to control your diabetes. If contrast material is used, you will need to stop taking metformin a few days before the test and resume taking it a few days after the test.
- Have a history of kidney problems. The contrast material used during a CT scan can cause kidney damage in people with poor kidney function. If you have a history of kidney problems, blood tests (creatinine, blood urea nitrogen) may be done before the CT scan to check that your kidneys are functioning properly. For more information, see the medical tests Creatinine and Creatinine Clearance and Blood Urea Nitrogen.
- Are or might be pregnant.
- Become very nervous in confined spaces. You need to lie still inside the CT scanner, so you may need medication to help you stay relaxed; however, this is uncommon because the scanner does not enclose all of your body.
If you will be given an injection of contrast material, you may need
to avoid eating and drinking for 4 hours before the test. Talk to your health professional
about any concerns you have regarding the need for the test, its risks, or how it will be
done. Complete the medical test information form to help you understand the importance of
the test.
How It Is Done
A CT scan is usually done by a radiology technologist. The resulting pictures are usually interpreted by a radiologist. Other doctors, such as a family practitioner, internist, or surgeon, may also review a CT scan.
A CT scan is usually done by a radiology technologist. The resulting pictures are usually interpreted by a radiologist. Other doctors, such as a family practitioner, internist, or surgeon, may also review a CT scan.
You will need to remove jewelry and hearing aids that might interfere
with the X-ray picture. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes. During the test, you will
lie on a table that is attached to the CT scanner. The scanner is a large donut-shaped
machine. Movement of your head will be limited by using straps or tape, but your face will
not be covered. The table slides into the round opening of the machine and the scanner
rotates around your body. The table will move a small distance every few seconds to
reposition you for each new "slice" of the CT scan. You may hear clicking or buzzing sounds
as the table moves and the cylinder turns.
It is very important to hold completely still while your head is being
scanned. Otherwise, repeat scans may be needed. During the test, you are usually alone in
the scanner room. However, the technologist will watch you through an observation window,
and you will be able to talk to him or her through an intercom. If contrast material is
needed, it will be injected into a vein (usually in your arm) over 1 to 2 minutes. Then
additional images are taken. This test usually takes about 30 minutes, but because of
delays that can occur, you should allow at least a full hour for the test.
How It Feels
You will feel no discomfort from the X-rays during the CT scan. However, the table you lie on may feel hard and the room may be chilly because air-conditioning is used to keep the X-ray equipment at a constant temperature. You may become uncomfortable from lying in one position for a long time.
You will feel no discomfort from the X-rays during the CT scan. However, the table you lie on may feel hard and the room may be chilly because air-conditioning is used to keep the X-ray equipment at a constant temperature. You may become uncomfortable from lying in one position for a long time.
Some people feel discomfort or anxiety (claustrophobia) when placed
inside the CT scanner. If this keeps you from lying still in the scanner, you may be given
a medication (sedative) to help you relax.
If contrast material is injected into your arm, you may feel warm and
flushed and get a metallic taste in your mouth. In rare cases, the IV contrast material may
cause nausea, vomiting, or a headache. If you develop these or other symptoms, tell the
technologist or your health professional.
Risks
The risk of a CT scan causing a problem is small.
The risk of a CT scan causing a problem is small.
- There is a slight risk of developing an allergic reaction to the iodine contrast material. The reaction can be mild (itching, rash) or severe (difficulty breathing or sudden shock). Death resulting from an allergic reaction is rare. Most reactions can be controlled using medication. Be sure to tell your health professional if you have allergies of any kind, such as hay fever, iodine allergy, eczema, hives, or food allergies.
- The contrast material used during CT scanning can cause water loss or damage to the kidneys that may lead to kidney failure. This is a concern if you are dehydrated or have poor kidney function. If you have a history of kidney problems, blood tests (creatinine, blood urea nitrogen) may be done before the CT scan to check that your kidneys are functioning properly. For more information, see the medical tests Creatinine and Creatinine Clearance and Blood Urea Nitrogen.
- If contrast material is used, you may be at risk for kidney problems if you have diabetes, especially if you take metformin (Glucophage). You will need to stop taking metformin for a period of time before the test and resume taking it as directed by your doctor or the radiologist.
- There is always a slight risk of damage from being exposed to any radiation, including the low levels of X-rays used for a CT scan. However, the risk of damage from the X-rays is usually very low compared with the potential benefits of the test.
Results
The radiologist may discuss preliminary results of the CT scan with you right after the test. However, complete results usually are available for your health professional in 1 to 2 days.
The radiologist may discuss preliminary results of the CT scan with you right after the test. However, complete results usually are available for your health professional in 1 to 2 days.
What Affects the Test
- A CT scan of the head and face usually is not done during pregnancy because the X-rays could damage a developing fetus. If an evaluation of a pregnant woman is needed, magnetic r esonance imaging (MRI) may be done instead.
- The results of the CT scan may not be accurate if you cannot remain still during the test.
What To Think About
- CT scans have replaced several less accurate tests for diagnosing conditions of the brain.
- CT scans are widely used and are becoming more available in small towns and rural areas than they were in the past.
- Special CT scanners called spiral (helical) CT scanners and multislice CT scanners can quickly provide a continuous scan of large areas in half the time of a standard CT scan. These scanners may offer several advantages over standard CT scanning, including:
- Better images of blood vessels and organs.
- A shorter test time.
- The ability to reformat the images.
- A technique called dynamic CT scanning uses contrast material that is injected into a vein to evaluate blood flow through blood vessels or organs if a tumor is suspected.
- CT angiography is a more precise method of evaluating blood vessels than a standard CT scan. CT angiography requires a spiral CT scanner or multislice scanner and uses a combination of dynamic CT scanning and special computer techniques to produce two- and three-dimensional images of blood vessels. For more information, see the medical test Angiography of the Head and Neck.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may provide more information than a CT scan about some conditions. However, a CT scan often provides more accurate images of bony tissues and sudden (acute) bleeding than an MRI scan. For more information, see the medical test Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
This information was obtained from WebMD