CT scanning - sometimes called CAT scanning - is a noninvasive, relatively painless medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. CT imaging uses special x-ray equipment to produce multiple images or pictures of the inside of the body and a computer to join them together in cross-sectional views of the area being studied. The images can then be examined on a computer monitor or printed. CT scans of internal organs, bone, soft tissue and blood vessels provide greater clarity than conventional x-ray exams.

      There are two commonly used contrast media in CT. One commonly used contrast to opacity the GI tract (stomach, small bowel, colon) is barium sulfate. This is usually taken orally, but can be administered, in some cases, rectally. The volume of CT barium sulfate to be administered will depend on the degree and the extent of contrast required in the area under examination. The Imaging Department will inform you of the amount and the time to drink your contrast when the contrast is obtained from Nemaha County Hospital.

      Another contrast medium that contains iodine is often injected into the blood intravenously (IV) during the scan. This contrast makes blood vessels and other structures or organs more visible on the CT images. It may also be used to evaluate blood flow, detect tumors, and locate areas of inflammation. Intravenous contrast material is often used to obtain images of the brain, chest, abdomen, and pelvis; an oral contrast material is commonly given for an abdominal and/or pelvis CT scan. Click here for more information on IV contrast used at Nemaha County Hospital.

      Before the administration of IV contrast the technologist will ask the patient if they have any medicine or iodine allergies. A patient who has allergies is at higher risk of allergic reaction with the administration of IV contrast. If the patient is over 60 years of age and having a CT exam with IV contrast, we require lab test to evaluate kidney function within the last 30 days. Poor kidney function could cause potential problems in the elimination of the IV contrast from the patient's body. In some instances when kidney function is lower than normal, normal saline will be administered through the IV before and after the scan to increase hydration. At the time your physician's office schedules the appointment, they should inform you if you need lab work.

RadiologyInfo (www.radiologyinfo.org) - Patient information about radiological procedures and the role of radiologists in healthcare. Concise, accurate descriptions of diagnostic, interventional and therapeutic radiology procedures, how each is performed and what patients might experience.