If you are admitted to hospital before your
test, tell the nurses about this
appointment.
Diagnostic Imaging Department
Hamilton Health Science
McMaster Medical Centre
1200 Main Street West
Hamilton, Ontario L8N 3Z5
(905) 521-2100, ext. 75287
April 2011
Hamilton Health Sciences,
McMaster Medical Centre
Preparation for
C.T. Scan for
OutPatients
Name: .
Appointment date: .
Appointment time: .
Please read this pamphlet carefully after
making your appointment.
The Diagnostic Imaging Department is on the
Main floor (2nd Level), near the Yellow
elevators.
Come to the Reception Desk when you arrive.
Call before the test:-
- if you have questions about the test, call
(905) 521-2100, ext. 75287, between
9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday
The C.T. Scan test
A C.T. scan is a test which uses x-rays. It is not like other x-rays because it gives a cross-sectional picture of the area being examined.
For your test, you will lay down on the C.T. table. During the test, the table will move slowly through the C.T. ring. The x-rays will go into a computer to make the pictures.
You may be asked to hold your breath during each scan. Otherwise you will only need to lie still.
If you have allergies, claustrophobia, a pacemaker or metal parts in your body, please tell the technologist before the test.
No metal zippers or fasteners can be worn on clothing; you may find a light-weight track suit or jogging suit the most comfortable clothing to wear. Only articles of clothing with no metal zippers or fasteners can be worn during the test.
Please follow the circled instructions for the body part being examined
A. C.T. scan of brain or neck
- eat a light meal before the test.
- during the test you may receive an injection of an iodine compound to outline the parts being examined.
- be prepared to stay in the department for ½ hour. About 10 minutes of this will be on the scanning table.
B. C.T. scan of the chest
- eat a light meal before the test.
- before the test you may receive an injection of an iodine compound (x-ray dye) to outline the parts being examined.
- you may be asked to swallow a barium paste during the examination and you may need to have a chest x-ray.
- be prepared to stay in the department for 45 minutes. About 10 minutes of this will be on the scanning table.
C. C.T. scan of abdomen and pelvis
- do not eat for 4 hours before your appointment time, clear fluids only.
- before the test, you may be asked to drink a large amount of liquid and receive an injection of an iodine compound (x-ray dye) to help outline the parts being examined.
- for pelvic C.T., we may need to put some air or fluid into the rectum and/or a tampon into the vagina.
- be prepared to stay in the department for 1 ½ hours. About 15 minutes of this will be on the scanning table.
D. C.T. scan of the spine or any
other area
- follow your normal diet.
- be prepared to stay in the department for ½ hour. About 10 minutes of this will be on the scanning table.
If there is any possibility of pregnancy, please contact us immediately at
ext. 75287.
Do you take any medication?
- continue to take your usual medications
Are you an insulin dependent Diabetic?
- If you are asked to miss breakfast, take ½ your normal dose of insulin
- If you have to miss any other meal, contact your doctor for further instructions
- Please bring your personal medication list
If you are on Metformin (Glucophage) please notify us immediately at
ext. 75287 for further instructions.
After the test
- Return to your normal diet and insulin routine.
- We recommend that you drink plenty of fluids (8-10 glasses of water over today and tomorrow) after having your test to help clear the x-ray dye material from your system. If you are a nursing mother, it is suggested that breast-feeding be discontinued for at least 48 hours following administration of x-ray dye material.