How Long Does It Take To Get Ct Scan Results From Doctor

A computerised tomography (CT) browse uses X-rays and a computer to create detailed images of the within of the body.

CT scans are sometimes referred to as Cat scans or computed tomography scans.

They're carried out in hospital by specially trained operators called radiographers, and tin exist washed while you're staying in hospital or during a short visit.

When CT scans are used

CT scans can produce detailed images of many structures inside the torso, including the internal organs, blood vessels and bones.

They tin exist used to:

diagnose conditions – including impairment to bones, injuries to internal organs, problems with blood flow, stroke, and cancer
guide further tests or treatments – for example, CT scans can assistance determine the location, size and shape of a neoplasm before having radiotherapy, or allow a doctor to accept a needle biopsy (where a small tissue sample is removed using a needle) or drain an abscess
monitor weather condition – including checking the size of tumours during and after cancer handling

CT scans wouldn't unremarkably be used to check for problems if you don't have any symptoms (known as screening).

This is because the benefits of screening may not outweigh the risks, particularly if information technology leads to unnecessary testing and anxiety.

Preparing for a CT scan

Your appointment letter will mention anything you demand to do to ready for your scan.

Y'all may be brash to avert eating anything for several hours before your appointment to help make sure articulate images are taken.

You should contact the hospital after receiving your engagement letter if you have any allergies or kidney problems, or if you're taking medication for diabetes, as special arrangements may need to be fabricated.

You lot should likewise let the hospital know if yous're pregnant. CT scans aren't usually recommended for pregnant women unless information technology'southward an emergency, as there'south a small chance the X-rays could harm your baby.

It'south a proficient idea to wear loose, comfortable clothes as y'all may be able to wear these during the scan.

Try to avert wearing jewellery and wearing apparel containing metallic (such as zips), as these will need to exist removed.

Before having a CT scan

Earlier having the scan, you may exist given a special dye called a contrast to help amend the quality of the images.

This may exist swallowed in the class of a drink, passed into your lesser (enema), or injected into a claret vessel.

Tell the radiographer if you feel broken-hearted or claustrophobic about having the scan.

They can give you lot advice to help you feel calm and can conform for yous to take a sedative (medication to help you relax) if necessary.

Before the browse starts, you may be asked to remove your clothing and put on a gown.

You'll too be asked to remove annihilation metallic, such as jewellery, as metallic interferes with the scanning equipment.

What happens during a CT browse

Image of a person about to have a CT scan

During the scan, you lot'll ordinarily lie on your back on a flat bed that passes into the CT scanner.

The scanner consists of a band that rotates around a small section of your torso as you pass through information technology.

Unlike an MRI scan, the scanner doesn't surroundings your whole body at once, and then you shouldn't feel claustrophobic.

The radiographer will operate the scanner from the next room. While the browse is taking identify, you'll be able to hear and speak to them through an intercom.

While each scan is taken, you'll need to lie very still and breathe normally. This ensures that the browse images aren't blurred.

You may be asked to breathe in, breathe out, or hold your breath at certain points.

The browse will usually take around 10 to 20 minutes.

What happens afterwards

You shouldn't experience any afterward-furnishings from a CT browse and can usually go home soon afterward. Y'all can swallow and potable, go to work and drive every bit normal.

If a contrast was used, you lot may be advised to look in the hospital for upwardly to an hour to make sure you don't accept a reaction to it.

The contrast is normally completely harmless and will pass out of your body in your urine.

Your scan results won't normally exist available immediately. A figurer volition need to process the information from your scan, which will and so be analysed by a radiologist (a specialist in interpreting images of the body).

Afterward analysing the images, the radiologist will write a report and send it to the doctor who referred you for the scan so they can discuss the results with you. This normally takes a few days or weeks.

Prophylactic of CT scans

CT scans are quick, painless and mostly safe. Simply there's a small gamble you could accept an allergic reaction to the contrast dye used and y'all'll be exposed to X-ray radiation.

The amount of radiation you're exposed to during a CT scan varies, depending on how much of your torso is scanned.

CT scanners are designed to make certain you're not exposed to unnecessarily high levels.

Generally, the amount of radiation you're exposed to during each browse is equivalent to between a few months and a few years of exposure to natural radiations from the environment.

Information technology'south idea exposure to radiation during CT scans could slightly increase your chances of developing cancer many years after, although this risk is thought to be very small (less than i in 2,000).

For more data, read GOV.Britain: patient dose information.

The benefits and risks of having a CT scan will always be weighed upwards before it'south recommended.

Talk to your doc or radiographer virtually the potential risks beforehand if you accept any concerns.

Page concluding reviewed: 18 August 2021
Adjacent review due: 18 Baronial 2024