CT Scanning

What is a CT Scan?

A CT (Computed Tomography) scan combines X-ray technology with advanced computer processing. Unlike conventional X-rays that produce flat, two-dimensional images, CT scans generate multiple "slices" that build a comprehensive three-dimensional view of your internal structures.

Using CT scans in the diagnostic process can significantly improve patient outcomes. According to Cancer Research UK, 6 in 10 lung cancer patients survive their disease for 5 years or more when diagnosed at the earliest stage, as opposed to under 1 in 10 when diagnosed at the advanced stage.

At LivingCare, our state-of-the-art CT scanner at the Canon Medical Arena in Sheffield provides exceptional image quality while minimising radiation exposure, ensuring both diagnostic accuracy and patient safety.

How a CT Scan Works

During a CT scan, an X-ray tube rotates around your body while you lie on a specially designed table that moves through the scanner. The X-ray beam passes through your body at different angles, and detectors on the opposite side measure the radiation absorbed by different tissues.

This sophisticated process takes hundreds of measurements from multiple angles in seconds, then uses advanced algorithms to turn the measurements into cross-sectional images revealing bones, organs and soft tissues.

The highly detailed images allow our radiologists to clearly examine internal structures.

What Can a CT Scan Be Used For

CT scanning is a versatile diagnostic tool with numerous applications across medicine. Our specialists typically recommend CT scans for:

1. Trauma assessment: Quickly identifying internal injuries after accidents or falls
2. Cancer diagnosis and staging: Detecting tumours, evaluating their size and location, and monitoring treatment response
3. Cardiovascular evaluation: Assessing blood vessels for narrowing, aneurysms, or other abnormalities
4. Lung and thoracic imaging: Diagnosing lung diseases, including COVID-19 complications, emphysema, and tumours
5. Neurological examination: Evaluating the brain for stroke, bleeding, or tumours
6. Abdominal and pelvic disorders: Investigating liver disease, kidney stones, appendicitis, and other conditions
7. Skeletal assessment: Examining complex fractures and joint problems
8. Procedure planning: Guiding surgeries, radiation therapy, and minimally invasive interventions

The exceptional detail and speed of CT imaging make it particularly valuable in emergency situations and for patients who cannot undergo MRI scans due to implanted devices or claustrophobia.

What to Expect When Receiving a CT Scan in Leeds and Sheffield

Before Your Appointment

Preparation for your CT scan varies depending on the area being examined. Our team will give you specific instructions, including fasting for 4-6 hours beforehand, drinking water before certain scans, and taking a contrast preparation through a drink or injection.

When booking your appointment, we'll ask you to inform us about any allergies, particularly to iodine or contrast materials; kidney problems; pregnancy; implants and any recent conditions.

For your comfort, wear loose, comfortable clothing without metal fasteners, and remove jewellery, dentures, hearing aids, and metal objects before the scan.

During Your Appointment

When you arrive for your CT scan:

1. You'll lie on a cushioned table that slides into the scanner (a doughnut-shaped machine)
2. The radiographer will position you carefully for optimal imaging
3. For some scans, contrast medium may be administered via injection or as a drink
4. The scanner rotates around you, taking images from multiple angles
5. The table will move slowly through the scanner in small increments
6. You'll hear whirring sounds as the machine operates
7. The radiographer will communicate with you from an adjacent room via intercom

Most CT scans take 10-20 minutes to complete, though preparation and positioning may extend the overall appointment time to 30-45 minutes. The procedure is painless, though you may feel a warm sensation or metallic taste if contrast is used.

After Your Appointment

Following your CT scan, you can return to normal activities immediately. If contrast was used, drinking plenty of fluids helps eliminate it from your system. In rare cases where sedation was required, you'll need someone to drive you home.

For urgent cases, preliminary results may be available the same day. Complete reports are typically available within 24-48 hours, and our team will ensure these are promptly shared with your referring doctor.

Risks and Complications of a CT Scan

CT scanning is generally very safe, but it's important to understand the potential risks:

Radiation Exposure: CT scans use X-rays, which involve some radiation exposure. However, our advanced equipment minimises this exposure while maintaining image quality. The benefit of accurate diagnosis almost always outweighs the small theoretical risk, particularly for adult patients.

Contrast Medium Reactions: If your scan requires contrast, be aware that mild reactions occur in about 1% of cases and may include a feeling of warmth, metallic taste, or brief nausea. Moderate reactions are rare (1 in 1,000) and might involve a temporary skin rash or hives. Severe reactions are extremely rare (less than 1 in 10,000).

Our team carefully screens for risk factors and is fully trained to manage any possible reactions.

Kidney Considerations: Contrast materials are processed by the kidneys. Patients with kidney disease may need special preparation or alternative imaging. We assess kidney function before administering contrast when necessary.

How to Recover Following a CT Scan

Recovery from a CT scan is typically immediate and straightforward. We ask you to stay hydrated if contrast was used, to help flush it through your system and to watch for any delayed reactions.

References

NHS CT Scan

British Institute of Radiology

Cancer Research UK‍