Computed tomography (or CT) scans provide a three-dimensional view of your bones, blood vessels, and soft tissue. This allows doctors to have a better look at your head, heart, lungs, abdomen, and digestive system. If your doctor has requested a CT scan in Central Oregon, schedule your appointment with Central Oregon Radiology Associates (or CORA). We provide more than a dozen types of CT scans specific to your needs.
Here’s What You Need to Know About Your CT Scan in Central Oregon:
How It Works
A CT scan uses X-ray technology to create a three-dimensional image of your bones, blood vessels, and organs. This allows us to diagnose infectious diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, appendicitis, heart disease, and cancer. It works by taking multiple X-rays of your body from multiple angles. Afterwards, digital processing is used to generate an 3-D image of your internal anatomy.
Types of CT Scans
There are several different types of CT scans available depending on what your doctor needs to see. At CORA we offer the following CT services:
- Abdomen and Pelvis CT
- CT Angiography
- CT Arthrograph
- CT Brain and Neurological
- CT Calcium Scoring
- CT Colonography (or Virtual Colonography)
- CT Extremity and Joint
- CT Myelogram (Myelography)
- CT Spine (Injection and Nerve Block)
- Cardiac CT
- Cardiac Calcium Scoring
- Chest CT
- Low Dose Lung Cancer Screening (LDCT)
- Virtual Colonoscopy Screening
How To Prepare
No matter which part of your body is being scanned, there are a few things you need to be aware of before your appointment. First, please let us know if you are taking any medications or have any allergies. It’s also important to disclose if you smoke, if you have diabetes, or if you have a family history of certain ailments. If you are breastfeeding, if you have kidney problems, if you have recently been sick or you have recently had surgery, please let us know that as well.
On the day of the scan, it’s important that you’re comfortable. Wear loose fitting clothing and avoid wearing any jewelry. Metal items may interfere with the results and so we ask that you refrain from wearing any accessories including jewelry, glasses, hairpins, underwire bras, hearing aids, and removable dental work. You may also need to avoid eating or drinking beforehand depending on the exam.
What To Expect
When you arrive for your CT scan, we may have you change into a gown. Some patients will require the use of a contrast to make the images easier to read. If this is the case you will be placed on an IV containing the contrast fluids. If we will be scanning a joint, a contrast medium may be injected into the joint.
From there you will be placed on an examination table and asked to remain still. This is important as the machine will not be able to produce a quality image if you are moving. The table will then slide into a large opening on the front of the machine. It may move you through the machine several times, or it may move you through once slowly. This may take from less to one minute up to fifteen minutes total.
Once your scan is complete, we may ask you to wait while we verify the image quality of the scan we just finished. When confirmed, you are free to go about your day with no downtime.
Schedule an appointment for your CT scan in Central Oregon. We’ll make sure you are well taken care of and that the process goes as smoothly as possible.
