CT Scanning

The length of the exam depends on the type of study being performed. Scan times last an average of five to 15 minutes.

Please wear clothing that is comfortable and includes no metal (i.e., metal-free bra, T-shirt, shorts or sweatpants). If you have to change into patient scrubs there is a changing room with keyed lockers for your belongings.

You may take your prescribed medication(s) unless you are having an injection (including our spinal injection service) or a myelogram. Then you may be asked to suspend certain medications.

As a courtesy keyed lockers are provided for your belongings.

If we are injecting CT contrast during your procedure, we’ll do a creatinine blood test for kidney function. Creatinine is a waste product that, when found in high levels, can signal impaired kidneys, and since contrast can stress impaired kidneys we want to make sure your procedure will be safe. Please allow an additional 30-45 minutes for lab results, for a total visit time of a little over an hour.

We perform this blood test if:

• You are over 60. (We can use creatinine lab work that is less than one month old.)
• You are diabetic.
• You are in renal failure.

For a simple IV start, allow two to five minutes.

If you have a difficult IV start or if you have a port or catheter please have your referring healthcare provider notify our scheduler.

CT uses ionizing (X-ray) radiation and an MRI does not. Instead, an MRI creates high-quality images through the combination of a strong magnetic field and radio waves. An MRI can detect certain diseases much earlier than other medical imaging techniques can, making it the diagnostic tool of choice for many physicians.

CT scanners use X-rays, a form of radiant energy that can penetrate the body. Your healthcare provider has determined that the benefits of a CT scan outweigh the risks of the radiation exposure because CTs provide valuable information about your health and play an important role in helping your provider make an accurate diagnosis. Our radiologists and technologists are trained to use the least amount of radiation or X-rays to obtain the best diagnostic images.

All of our imaging equipment is accredited by the American College of Radiology. The ACR awards accreditation to facilities for achieving high practice standards based on a peer-review evaluation by board-certified physicians and medical physicists.