• Reference Number: HEY444/2025
• Departments: Radiology
• Last Updated: 30 April 2025

Introduction

You’ve been referred for a CT (Computed Tomography) scan. This leaflet explains what the scan involves, what to expect, and how to prepare. Please read it carefully, and if you have any questions, bring them up with your healthcare team. This guide is here to support you, not replace the conversation with your care providers.

Share the information it contains with your family (if you wish) so that they can be of help and support. There may be information they need to know, especially if they are taking care of you following this examination.

What is a CT scan?

CT (computed tomography) is also known as a CT scan. The CT scanner uses X-rays to take detailed pictures of the inside of your body. It shows bones, organs, blood vessels, and soft tissues clearly. The scanner looks like a large polo mint (a doughnut shape) and is open at both ends – it’s not a tunnel. You’ll lie on a table that moves slowly through the scanner

Who will be involved with the CT examination?

A healthcare professional called a Radiographer, trained in producing the best images with minimum radiation, will perform the examination. During your visit you may also meet a Clinical Imaging Support Worker who may help prepare you for your examination.

The images will then be reviewed by a Radiologist or Radiographer.

Why do I need a CT scan?

A CT scan can be performed on any area of the head or body. It can give clear pictures of soft tissues such as muscles, organs, large blood vessels, and brain It can also give clear pictures of bones. CT examinations are performed for several reasons, for example:

• To detect abnormalities in the body, such as tumours, abscesses, abnormal blood vessels
• To give a surgeon a clear picture of an area of your body before surgery
• To help doctors find the correct place to take biopsies (tissue samples)

Can there be any complications or risks?

Radiation Risk

All CT scanning involves the use of radiation. Like everything in life, there is a degree of risk involved when using radiation. The dose is low and similar to what you’d get naturally from the environment over 1 to 5 years. Scans are only requested when absolutely necessary, and we always keep radiation exposure as low as possible.

Contrast risks.

Sometimes we use a dye (called contrast) to make the scan images clearer. This is injected through a small needle in your arm or hand.

• You’ll be asked to complete a safety checklist and give consent.
• The dye is safe for most people, but may cause a warm feeling or metallic taste, which fades quickly.
• Rarely, it can cause an allergic reaction or affect your kidneys, especially if you already have kidney issues. All staff are well trained to recognise and deal with any issues that may arise. We may do a blood test beforehand to check.
• Occasionally, the dye can leak under the skin. This may sting but usually settles within 30 minutes. Staff will monitor you and explain any next steps if needed.

Pregnancy

Please inform us is there is any chance that you are or could be pregnant. We may delay or adjust the scan to avoid exposing the baby to radiation.

How do I prepare for the scan?

Prior to your appointment, please ring the department if:

• If you have a known contrast allergy.
• You might be pregnant.

You may be asked not to eat or drink anything for one or more hours before the examination. Please read the appointment letter you have received with this leaflet.

Child Care: Unfortunately, we do not have childcare facilities. If you need to bring your children with you, please bring along an adult who can supervise them while you’re in your scan.

Help and support in the department.

If your scan is to be performed in one of our main CT departments, you can bring a relative/ carer/ friend with you. However, they will be asked to wait in the waiting area, and they cannot go into the scan room, except in special circumstances. There is limited seating in the CT waiting areas of all our sites so during busy periods your accompanying visitor may be asked to return later.

If your scan is to take place on our mobile scanners there is no waiting area, so please arrive on time by yourself.

If you have any condition or need support during your visit, please tell us when you arrive.

What will happen?

What should I wear?

You should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing for your CT examination. Metal objects can affect the image, so avoid clothing with zippers and poppers. Depending on the part of the body that is being scanned, you may also be asked to remove hairpins, jewellery, glasses, hearing aids, body piercing and any removable dental work. In some cases, if you are wearing an under-wired bra or corset you may be asked to remove this. Gowns are available as required.

Please do not bring any unnecessary valuables with you as we have very limited secure storage.

What happens during the scan?

If contrast is required, prior to the scan you will be taken into a cannulation room where the CISW or Radiographer will place a cannular.

A radiographer will take you into the scanning room and ask you to lie on the scan table. It is important to make sure you are comfortable before the scan begins as it is important that you remain still during your scan. Once you are ready you will be moved into the scanner and your scan will begin. Whilst the information for the scans is being collected the scan table will move in and out of the scanner. If contrast dye is required, it will be given during this time. You may feel some immediate side effects from the injection such as an odd taste in your mouth or a warm sensation which will only last a few seconds.

How long will the scan take?

The scan itself takes 10 to 20 minutes. Including prep time, you may be in the department for up to an hour. Your appointment letter will give you more details as some scans take longer than others.

We will try to keep to your appointment time but occasionally we must scan emergency patients at short notice which can cause delays for our booked patients. If this situation arises when you come for your scan, we will let you know and keep you informed of any delays.

What happens afterwards?

If you have had an injection during your CT scan, you will need to remain in the department for approximately 20 minutes.  We will tell you when you are able to leave. You can eat, drink, drive, and return to your normal routine unless told otherwise

The scans will be reviewed by a Radiologist/Radiographer within a few days of your examination.

The results are sent to the person who referred you for your scan.

If a Hospital Consultant

• You will then receive an outpatient appointment through the post advising you of when your consultant wants to see you to discuss your results.
• If you already have your next out-patient appointment date and this is within one week of your CT scan, please inform the Radiographer before the scan begins.

If a General Practitioner

• Your results will be sent to him/her.

The radiographer will not usually be able to comment on the results of the scan.

Should you require further advice on the issues contained in this leaflet, please do not hesitate to contact the CT Department on Tel: 01482 622043

General Advice and Consent

Most of your questions should have been answered by this leaflet, but remember that this is only a starting point for discussion with the healthcare team.

Consent to treatment

Before any doctor, nurse or therapist examines or treats you, they must seek your consent or permission. In order to make a decision, you need to have information from health professionals about the treatment or investigation which is being offered to you. You should always ask them more questions if you do not understand or if you want more information.

The information you receive should be about your condition, the alternatives available to you, and whether it carries risks as well as the benefits. What is important is that your consent is genuine or valid. That means:

• you must be able to give your consent
• you must be given enough information to enable you to make a decision
• you must be acting under your own free will and not under the strong influence of another person

Information about you

We collect and use your information to provide you with care and treatment. As part of your care, information about you will be shared between members of a healthcare team, some of whom you may not meet. Your information may also be used to help train staff, to check the quality of our care, to manage and plan the health service, and to help with research. Wherever possible we use anonymous data.

We may pass on relevant information to other health organisations that provide you with care. All information is treated as strictly confidential and is not given to anyone who does not need it. If you have any concerns please ask your doctor, or the person caring for you.

Under the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018 we are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of any information we hold about you. For further information visit the following page: Confidential Information about You.

If you or your carer needs information about your health and wellbeing and about your care and treatment in a different format, such as large print, braille or audio, due to disability, impairment or sensory loss, please advise a member of staff and this can be arranged.