Your preparation requirements
You will be required to fast from food and drink for 4 hours prior to your appointment. Reception staff may request you to arrive 1 hour prior to your examination time to drink either water or a special barium solution (oral contrast).
Please notify your doctor and the staff at Sound Radiology if you have diabetes, renal disease, any allergies or you think you could be pregnant.
What to expect
A CT of your abdomen/pelvis may require you to arrive 1 hour prior to your appointment at which time you will be asked to drink an oral contrast agent. This oral contrast allows differentiation of anatomical structures and may be used in conjunction with an intra-venous contrast agent.
Upon arrival at the practice, you will be asked to complete a contrast questionnaire and patient consent form and will be advised of the appropriate scan preparation. This ensures any pre-existing medical conditions, allergies and medications are acknowledged and the appropriate preparation is defined. If you have any concerns or questions, nursing staff are always available for clarification.
Imaging staff will collect you from the waiting room at the appropriate time and escort you to the CT room. You may be asked to change into a gown to ensure the best image quality. We encourage patients to wear comfortable clothing that does not contain metal objects – zips etc to avoid the need to change. At this time you may also be asked to remove, all jewellery, reading glasses, mobile phones, wallets etc.
Once in the imaging room, you will be asked to lie on the CT table for your scan. Trained staff will explain what will be expected for your study, answering any questions that arise. You will then be moved through the middle of the CT gantry (doughnut looking component) and images are taken. You may be expected to hold your breath at differing intervals throughout the imaging examination.
In some clinical circumstances, an injection of clear contrast dye is given to highlight certain structures and organs within the body. This contrast dye is iodine based, and is administered via a needle (jelco) in your arm. This contrast dye allows more detail to be seen within the abdomen and pelvis ensuring diagnostic confidence.
It is quite common to experience a warm ‘flush’ in response to the injection, along with a ‘funny’ metallic taste and the sensation to go to the toilet.
Once all the images are taken, the CT radiographer will ask you to remain on the table until the Radiologist verifies that the images are satisfactory for accurate interpretation.
Please allow 20-30 minutes for your examination, if you have received the injection of contrast dye, you will remain in our department for another 15 minutes after the scan before the jelco is removed.
If you are having a CT scan of your abdomen and pelvis, please see our checklists below.
