We
are located
in the Professional
Office Building at the St. Lukes Campus of Faxton St.
Lukes Healthcare in Utica, New York
What is CT?
Computed
Tomography, CT Scan (or Computer Assisted Tomography/CAT
Scan) is a simple, non-invasive, and painless diagnostic
procedure. It utilizes xrays that focus on a specific
area of the body, gathering multiple images from different
angles to create a cross sectional and 3-dimensional
picture. CT images are unlike "general"
xrays which produce flat surface pictures. The information
retrieved is processed through a computer and depicts
the organ or tissue being scanned in excellent detail.
In this way, abnormalities may be detected more easily,
potentially avoiding exploratory surgery.
What
CT Scans are used for:
A
CT scan can be used for any part of the body. Some
of the more common examination areas include the head,
chest, abdomen, neck, and heart. The technology at
New Hartford Scanner is also capable of doing full
body scans, in which the entire body is examined.
Most
CT exams do not require advanced preparation on the
patient's part. Only a few exams require minor preparations.
Your physician will instruct you on whether or not
your exam will need such preparations. If instructions
are given, be sure to follow them closely and do not
hesitate to ask questions.
Please
tell the office about any allergies you may have or
if there is a chance you might be pregnant.
During
most CT examinations, you are allowed to wear comfortable,
loose fitting clothing without metal. For some exams,
you will be asked to change, in which case a gown
will be provided for you.
Depending
upon the type of exam, you will need to metallic items
such as jewelry, hairpins, belt buckles, and hearing
aids. These items would create unwanted lines (artifacts)
in the medical image that the radiologist reads to
help determine a diagnosis.
For
some exams, a contrast agent, or "dye",
will be used. This dye outlines the organs and blood
vessels being examined, enabling a clearer picture
to be obtained. If this is the case with your exam,
you will either be given a fruit flavored drink containing
a contrast agent, or an intravenous injection of the
"dye". When an intravenous injection is
started, it is normal to feel a warm sensation and
to have a metallic taste in your mouth. This will
pass in a minute or two.
During
the exam:
The
exam will usually take between 10 and 30 minutes,
but the actual
x-ray exposure time is much less than that.When you
are ready, the technologist will help position you
on the examination table. The table will move smoothly
into the scanner, while the scanner rotates around
you. The scanner itself is very short and donut shaped.
It is open at both ends. It is unlikely that you should
feel confined at any time during the exam. Try to
remain as still as possible.
The
technologist will be monitoring the exam from an adjoining
room with a large window so you can see one another.
You will be able to converse with the technologist
through a two-way intercom at all times.
You
may be given instructions (such as to hold your breath
for a few seconds at a time) throughout the exam.
Your cooperation allows for a quick and smooth procedure.
It
is normal to hear whirring and clicking noises from
the scanner during the exam.
