Computed tomography (CT) scan
When you get your CT scan at a Montage Health location, you’ll benefit from qualified staff, advanced equipment, and proper procedures that help ensure accurate results. Our hospital, Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, holds accreditation in CT imaging from the American College of Radiology, which sets nationwide testing standards.
What is a CT exam?
CT technology uses X-rays and a computer to create many images of the inside of your body. Also called a CAT scan, a CT test shows your organs, bones, soft tissues, and blood vessels in more clarity and detail than an X-ray test. The images may help your doctor diagnose a condition, plan treatment, or see how well a treatment is working.
Types of CT scans
Your doctors can use CT imaging for many tests, including:
- Angiogram – Checks the health of your blood vessels
- Calcium score scan – Looks for buildup of calcium-filled plaque in your heart arteries
- CT colonography – Examines your large intestine for polyps (lumps) that could be cancer
- CT lung scan – Looks for early signs of lung cancer in current or former heavy smokers
Before scheduling a CT scan
When you receive a referral for a CT exam, tell your doctor if you:
- Could be pregnant
- Have a medical condition, such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, or a thyroid problem
What to expect
Learn what to expect before, during, and after your CT exam.
Preparation
To make sure your test goes smoothly and the results are accurate, you should:
- Follow any instructions you may receive on fasting (avoiding food or drink) before the test
- Leave jewelry, hairpins, watches, or any accessories with metal at home. If you wear glasses or hearing aids, you may need to remove them before the exam
- Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. You may receive a gown to change into for the test
Contrast dye
Depending on the type of exam, your care team may use a special dye to make certain organs or parts of the body show up better in the images. You might swallow this dye or get it through an intravenous (IV) line. After receiving it, you may feel warm or have a metallic taste in your mouth for a few minutes.
Positioning
You’ll lie on an exam table that will move into the CT scanner. A technologist may use pillows or gentle straps to help you stay in the right position throughout the test.
During the scan
The exam table will move slowly through the machine as it takes pictures for about 30 minutes. Keep still to ensure clear images. You may need to hold your breath a few times, depending on the part of the body under examination.
After a CT test
If your test uses contrast dye, your care team may ask you to stay for a short time after the test to monitor you for side effects, such as itching or swelling. If your test doesn’t use contrast dye, you can likely return to your normal activities right away.
Radiation safety
Trust your care team to protect you by using the lowest possible dose of radiation needed for clear CT images. Montage Health imaging locations:
- Provide breast and thyroid shields to reduce radiation exposure to those areas
- Have dose-reduction technology on CT scanners so your care team can customize the dose for your procedure
Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula uses less radiation on average than other Bay Area hospitals, according to the ACR’s National Dose Registry.
