The X-Ray Vision-aries Blog

X-Ray Vision-aries is a healthy and green living blog designed for non-health nuts. We hope that by looking at health and the environment in a non-technical and light-hearted manner that makes learning about and improving one's health, environment and life accessible to everyone, we can all learn a thing or two. Enjoy!

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    • Preparing for a CAT Scan

    The diagnostic imaging method known at a CAT scan creates a three-dimensional image of the body by taking a cross-sectional x-ray. These types of scans can expose patients to fairly high amounts of radiation, so doctors typically do not order them unless absolutely necessary. If your doctor has ordered you to have a CAT scan, you might be experiencing a little anxiety. The exam itself can also be a little nerve wrecking, so it’s important that you prepare yourself for it and know exactly what it will entail.

    For the exam, you should wear comfortable and loose clothing and leave your accessories at home. Objects like jewelry, dental work, glasses, hairpins, and hearing aids, contain metal or other types of materials that may interfere with the scan and affect images. It is possible that you might be asked to not eat or drink anything for several hours before the exam, especially if contrast materials will be used. Contrast materials like iodine or barium are used to help structures, organs, blood vessels, or other tissues, to show up better in CAT scan images.

    At the exam you will go into a room with a CAT scanning machine, which looks like a large box with a tunnel in the center. You will lie upon an examination table that slides in and out of the tunnel. Inside the machine, there is an x-ray tube and electronic x-ray detectors, which are located on opposites sides of one another in a ring. To record imaging information the tube and detectors will rotate around you throughout the scanning process. A CAT scan can take anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes, during which you will have to lie completely still in the correct position the technologist has placed you in. If this causes you any discomfort, straps and pillows might be used to help you hold the position. You will be alone throughout the scanning process, as the technologist is in a different room. But the technologist will be able to see, hear, and speak with you, so you will be able to communicate if there are any complications.
    The imaging information is sent to a computer workstation located in a separate room where the technologist is operating the scanner and monitoring the procedure. The computer processes the imaging information and will create pictures of a transparent view of your body. These pictures are analyzed by the technologist who will send a report to your doctor who will discuss the results with you.