A CT scan, sometimes called a CAT scan, uses special x-ray equipment to
create highly detailed images of internal organs. An x-ray tube rotates
around your body, scanning it with x-rays. Imagine your body as a loaf
of bread and you are looking at one end of the loaf. As you remove each
slice of bread you can see the entire surface of that slice. Your body
is seen on CT scan pictures in a similar way.
Lung Cancer Screening CT
For some patients, CT may also be recommended for lung cancer screening.
To find potentially cancerous nodules early, which greatly increases the
chance of survival, doctors must be able to see them and CT lung screening
is the test than can do that.
We recommend a yearly CT lung cancer screening for at-risk patients. Eligibility
requirements for insurance are:
55-76 years of age
Current smoker or have quit within the last 15 years
Smoked at least 30 pack years (pack years = cigarettes per day x years
smoked divided by 20)
Have not had a history of lung cancer or any lung cancer symptoms
If you believe you are at risk for lung cancer, discuss your smoking history
and other risk factors with you primary care provider.
Preparation
Depending on the CT exam ordered, you may be given an injection of contrast
(which we sometimes call x-ray dye) through an IV in your arm while we
take your pictures. This contrast shows up white on your CT scan images
allowing us to take a better look at your organs inside. You may be instructed
to not eat or drink anything the night before your test.
Important things to tell your technologist:
Symptoms you are having
If you have a known allergy to x-ray dye
If you become anxious in confined spaces or are claustrophobic (note: most
patients do well with this exam and this is not usually an issue)
If you are pregnant
Any previous exams of the area being tested
Any previous surgeries of the area being tested
Any allergies you may have
Some specific reasons this test may be used:
To determine the presence or spread of cancer
Blood clots
Kidney function
Renal disease
Spine fractures
Brain bleed or stroke
Sinus disease
Tumors
Abdominal disease
Note: The imaging staff is trained to acquire images for a radiologist
to review. The radiologist is specially trained to look at x-ray studies
and make a diagnosis off of them. The imaging staff is not fully trained
to do so, therefore we will not be able to give you results at the time
of your exam.
