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CT exams: What to expect from start to finish

Post Date: August 20, 2014
CT exams: What to expect from start to finish

In CT, you and your child will check in at a kiosk and then register at the front desk. Once your child’s name is called, you will be escorted to a room by a CT technologist, who will verify your doctor’s order and the reason for the exam. The CT technologist will then explain the exam in more detail.

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Your child will be asked to lay down on the bed of the CT scanner, which will  move in and out of the scanner as it takes pictures. Depending on the type of exam, the technologist may ask your child to hold their breath. Shields may be laid on your child when possible.

If IV contrast is needed, the technologist will start the IV before having your child lay down on the scanner bed. After taking a few pictures, the technologist will then administer the IV contrast and take more pictures.

Once complete, the pictures are reviewed by the technologist. The radiologist will also check the pictures to determine if more scanning is needed. After the radiologist reads and dictates a report, your doctor is sent the results. You are able to access the results in the MyChart application.

Contributed by Erica Gates, CT Manager

 

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About the author: Alex Towbin

Alex is a radiologist and the Neil D. Johnson Chair of Radiology Informatics. In this role, he helps to manage the information systems used by the Radiology department. Clinically, Alex is the Assistant Director of thoracoabdominal imaging. His research interests include liver disease, liver tumors, inflammatory bowel disease, and appendicitis.

About The Department

The Radiology Department at Cincinnati Children's is a leader in pediatric diagnostic imaging, radiology research, and radiation dose reduction.

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