Computed Tomography of Chest
- What is a CT of the chest?
- Why might my doctor recommend a CT of my chest?
- How should I prepare for a CT of my chest?
- What type of equipment is used for a CT of the chest?
- How does a CT of the chest work?
- Will I experience pain during a CT of my chest?
- How will I get the test results for a CT of my chest?
What is a CT of the chest?
A CT scan of the chest is a type of scan that uses special equipment to obtain cross-sectional images of the organs and tissues of the chest. The images produced are far more detailed than those from a traditional chest X-ray. This scan can simultaneously show many different types of tissue including the lungs, heart, bones, soft tissues, muscle, and blood vessels.
Why might my doctor recommend a CT of my chest?
A CT of the chest may be recommended for a variety of reasons. First, it can be used to detect tumors that develop in the lungs or that have spread there from other parts of the body. It also can be used to screen for lung cancer that may not be found on a chest X-ray. Other lung disorders, such as old or new pneumonia, tuberculosis, emphysema, and lung disease can be detected by this scan as well.
How should I prepare for a CT of my chest?
To prepare for a CT scan, we recommend you dress comfortably. Also, avoid any clothing in the chest area that contains metal objects such as snaps or zippers that can affect the CT image. You will not be asked to wear a gown unless the technician feels your clothing could affect the results of the scan.
Depending on your individual scan, you may receive a contrast injection. Contrast material is a dye that makes your organs and blood vessels more visible when you are scanned. If contrast is used, you will be asked not to eat or drink for four hours prior to the procedure. After the scan you should drink plenty of liquids to help flush the contrast out of your system.
What type of equipment is used for a CT of the chest?
The CT scanner is a specialized machine that looks like a large doughnut. You will lay on a movable table that goes in and out of the center of the machine. Most CT scans use an advanced unit called a spiral CT that records a large number of pictures in a short time.
How does a CT of the chest work?
A CT of the chest requires that you to lie flat your back. A rotating device spins around your body creating a beam of X-rays. A detector takes snapshots of the beam after it passes through your body and a powerful computer program then processes the images and displays them in different ways for examination. During the scan you will be asked to hold your breath for 30-40 seconds. The technician will communicate with you throughout the procedure, but will need to leave the room briefly to run the computer but the control room has a window. The scan will take about 5-10 minutes and the entire experience should last no more than 30 minutes.
Will I experience pain during a CT of my chest?
No, CT scanning is a painless procedure. If contrast material is used, you may feel flushed or get a metallic taste in your mouth, usually lasting no more than a minute or two. In rare cases, you may experience other side effects from contrast. Contact the CT technologist or your doctor if these occur or if you have questions about the use of contrast.
How will I get the test results for a CT of my chest?
When your CT exam is complete, you may return to work or other normal activity immediately. Our board-certified radiologists will read your exam, and the results will be reported to your referring physician within 24 hours.
