We request that you arrive 30 minutes before your test. This will allow time for you to complete and review any forms and prepare you for your test. Upon arrival you may receive an oral contrast to drink. Once you are ready for your CT scan you will be escorted to a secure dressing room where you will be asked to change into scrubs.

You will then be escorted into the CT room. At that time our technologist will review your medical history and explain your exam to you. You will be given the opportunity to ask questions and have them answered. If your test requires contrast you will be asked to sign a consent form for the injection of the contrast. Once this is done you will be asked to lie on the CT table. You will be made as comfortable as possible. Your first scans will be done without the contrast injection; this will allow the radiologist to compare your scans before and after the contrast is injected. For this scan you will be instructed when to hold your breath and when to breathe. If your test does not require contrast, your scan is complete. If your test requires contrast, you will need to have an IV placed into a vein in your arm.

This will allow us to inject the contrast for the second part of your test. Once the IV is inserted, a tube will be connected to your IV so that the contrast can be injected into your vein. The contrast injection may give you a warm feeling, this is not unusual. You will be given instructions as to when you need to hold your breath and when to breathe. Once this portion of your CT scan is complete we will remove the IV from your arm. Some exams may require an additional set of images about 5 minutes after the IV is removed.