CT (Computed Tomography) Scan

Not all CT scanners are created equal. At Edgebrook Radiology our number one concern is your safety. We have invested in the industry’s leading low dose CT scanners designed with unmatched safety and diagnostic benefits. Our scanners emit very low levels of radiation and automatically adjust radiation administration to the thickness of body part being scanned. Our technologists and radiologists monitor the scan so that it yields the most information about your condition and often standard protocols are adjusted during the course of your exam to customize it to meet your specific needs. This distinguishes us as we do not use a “one size fits all” approach.

Our CT scanners are exceptionally fast which also reduces radiation and results in fewer poor quality images related to motion. This feature is particularly important for patients who are unable to lie still for prolonged periods such as children, claustrophobics, and those in severe pain.

Our safe, state-of-the-art technology in conjunction with our expert radiologists and skilled compassionate staff make us leaders CT diagnosis.

• Walk-in availability for non-contrast CT scans.
• Same or next day availability for contrast enhanced CT scans.
• Fast and accurate interpretation of your CT scan by our highly trained board-certified radiologists.
• Prompt reporting of results to your medical provider.
• Complimentary copies of your images on film or CD on request by your doctor.

Computed Tomography (CT), also called a CAT scan, uses x-ray and computer equipment to produce images of the body. Our modern multidetector CT scanners acquire images rapidly, and powerful computers are used to modify the images so that they can emphasize diverse tissue types such as bone, lung, solid organs or blood vessels; highlight abnormal tissues; measure the radiodensity of tissues to determine their physical properties; assess their vascularity; and to view them in different orientations or as 3-D rotating images. Our equipment is specially designed to minimize radiation exposure; and as radiologists we modify our procedures to minimize the amount of radiation needed to answer the clinical questions posed by each patient’s situation.

CT examinations can be designed to focus on small parts of the body to provide exquisite anatomic detail (such as the inner structures of the ear), or they can be used to provide an overview of larger areas of the body, such as the whole torso, when the clinical issues involve more widespread disease processes or complaints that may originate from many different areas of the body. One such example would be staging for metastatic cancer or lymphoma that could affect many areas of the body; or poorly localized abdominal symptoms that might originate from anywhere in the abdomen or pelvis. Besides diagnosis, CT can be essential for planning surgical treatment, so that there are no surprises in the operating room; for planning radiation therapy; or following up on known abnormalities to verify stability or resolution over time.

• On the day of your exam, wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.
• Avoid clothing with zippers and snaps as metal objects can affect the image.
• Depending on the part of the body that is being scanned, you may also be asked to remove hairpins, jewelry, eyeglasses, hearing aids and any dentures.
• Women should inform us if there is any possibility that they are pregnant.
• If you will be receiving IV contrast, you will be asked not to eat or drink anything for four hours before the exam.
• If you are breast-feeding and will be receiving intravenous contrast agent, be prepared to pump and discard breast milk for between 12-24 hours following IV contrast administration.
• If the use of IV contrast is desired, sometimes results of certain blood tests (BUN and Creatinine) will be needed to assess the safety of its administration, as our scheduling specialist may discuss when you book your exam.  Please mention if you have a history or kidney disease or undergo dialysis.
• A history of allergies to IV contrast, sometimes to other medications or foods also affects our decision about the safe use of IV contrast agent.  Be prepared to alert our scheduling specialist about these matters at the time of booking, and to discuss them again with the CT technologist at the time of the exam.
• If you have active asthma and sometimes require medication through an inhaler, please bring your inhaler along.
• If you use medications to control pain or anxiety, please take them to enhance your comfort during the examination.

For many types of abdominal and pelvic examinations, you will be asked to drink specific liquids (“oral contrast agent”) while in the waiting room before your examination, or occasionally before coming to the office. Most commonly, a dilute solution of barium (an inert substance almost never a cause of any allergic reaction) is used to improve visualization of the stomach, small bowel and colon. It helps to identify diseases affecting the bowel itself; possible sites of stricture or obstruction; and to distinguish the bowel from otherwise similar appearing abnormalities like cysts or abscesses. Some patients find the taste of the contrast material slightly unpleasant, but tolerable. Occasionally dilute iodine-based oral contrast agents are added or substituted. Before the actual scan is performed, you may need to wait for the contrast agent to pass throughout the colon, while sipping more to keep the upper part of the intestine filled.

For some types of exams, usually for evaluation of the kidneys, urinary tract, or blood vessels, you will be asked to drink water instead.

Very rarely, at the time of the scan itself, some contrast agent will be administered as an enema, through a stoma or catheter in post-operative patients.

Sometimes iodinated contrast material is injected into a vein during the course of the examination to accentuate the difference between normal and abnormal tissue in organs like the liver, pancreas or kidneys. The contrast agent passes through the bloodstream, allowing images of the blood vessels to be acquired (CT angiography). From there it passes into the organs, each of which when normal acquires a characteristic appearance at various times following injection. Alterations in the enhancement patterns yield diagnostic information about the health of the organs or characterize smaller abnormalities within them. Solid nodules can be distinguished from cysts. The kidneys remove the contrast agent from the blood, sending it down the ureters into the bladder where it can then be excreted, facilitating assessment for obstruction and permitting better visualization of the usually inconspicuous ureters and bladder lining.

A CT examination usually takes five minutes to half an hour.

• The technologist will prepare you for the exam, explain what to expect and answer any questions.
• The technologist positions you on the CT table and pillows are used to keep you comfortable and in the proper position during the scan.
• If needed, an IV (intravenous) catheter will be inserted into a vein.
• The table will move slowly into the CT scanner opening. Depending on the area of the body being examined, the increments of movement may be very small and almost undetectable, or large enough to feel the motion.  Sometimes you will be asked to hold your breath.
• You will be alone in the room during your scan.  However your technologist can see, hear and speak with you at all times. If necessary, many centers allow a friend or family member to stay in the room with you during the exam. To prevent radiation exposure, the friend or family member will be required to wear a lead apron.
• To determine if more images are needed, you may be asked to wait until the images are reviewed.  Delayed images may be needed to allow for further advancement or oral contrast or passage of IV contrast through the urinary tract.
• During the IV injection, you may feel…
  • • Flushed, have a metallic taste in your mouth, or have the false sensation that you are urinating. These are common side effects that disappear in a minute or two.
    • A mild itching sensation. If the itching persists or is accompanied by hives, it can be easily treated with medication.  If you have any symptoms alert your technologist.

• Drink lots of fluids during the day to flush any residual contrast agent from your system.  The technologist will provide any further special instructions.
• Once the images for your CT examination are obtained, the technologist will sometimes perform additional computer processing for optimal presentation to our radiologist and your doctor. If your doctor has access to our PACS system, the images become available almost immediately.  Our radiologist evaluates the study and produces a final transcribed report within 24 hours.  Often you may leave the office with filmed images of the exam or a CD-ROM in hand.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death of both men and women in the United States. Each year more people die of lung cancer than breast, colon, and prostate cancers combined. Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer and secondhand smoke increases your risk of developing lung cancer. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), at least 3,000 nonsmokers per year die from lung cancer related to secondhand smoke.

Lung cancer is more common in adults over 50 years of age. Other risk factors that may increase the risk of developing lung cancer:

Asbestos
High levels of air pollution
Family history of lung cancer
Radon gas exposure
Exposure to cancer causing chemicals possibly related to occupation
(chloromethyl ethers, gasoline, beryllium, mustard gas, uranium, vinyl chloride, nickel chromates, coal products, diesel exhaust)

If you fit into any of the categories above, and you are currently asymptomatic, then you maybe a perfect candidate for a low radiation dose CT scan of your chest to evaluate your lungs for early signs of lung cancer.
The rationale for having this test is based on a major scientific study called the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine, which compared two methods of early detection of lung cancer: chest X-ray and low-dose CT scans. The results showed that participants who received low-dose CT scans had a 20 % lower risk of dying from lung cancer than those who received chest X-rays.

These results are very promising and may offer hope to hundreds of thousands of people. However, because this is the first study to show that lung cancer screening may save lives, and has not yet been widely accepted as a routine screening practice, most insurance plans do not cover the cost of the exam.

Progressive Radiology is excited to offer this service at our Bel Air and Salisbury Sweetbay Drive locations at the low cost of $95.00.

The exam itself takes only a few minutes, needs no preparation, is painless (no injection), and is safe. Your images will be interpreted by a board certified radiologist and a written report will be sent to your medical provider. You will leave our office with your own copy of your exam on a CD ROM.

What is your piece of mind worth to you?

Ask your medical provider today if you are a candidate for this screening. Schedule your appointment on-line or by calling our office. We also offer same day walk-in appointments. Please bring your prescription with you at the time of your exam.