Information for patients who are having a CT scan

Introduction

The CT Department at Addenbrooke’s Hospital provides a range of examinations including all neurology, body, cardiac, colonography and enterography scanning. We provide specialist interventional procedures for example biopsy, drainage and guided injections along with ablation therapy.

A CT scanner uses X-rays to obtain images which will help the doctors plan your future treatment. You will be lying on a couch, which moves through a large hole in the middle of the scanner. Most of the time you can see out of either one side or the other, and the radiographer who is performing the scan will be able to speak to you through an intercom. Further information can be found on the Trust website:

https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/our-services/imaging-radiology/ct/

How long will I be in the department?

This will depend on what type of scan you are having however, expect to be with us between 30 minutes to an hour. This includes preparation, explanation, scan and post-scan procedures.

What to do when you arrive

Please report to the CT Reception. You will be greeted by a member of staff who will check you in for your scan appointment and show you where to wait.

Staff you are likely to meet:

• Clinical support workers
• Radiographers

Preparation for your scan

Scans often require oral preparation (either a contrast drink or water) and / or a contrast injection into a vein. Please refer to your appointment letter for more information.

Oral preparation (contrast)

You may be asked to arrive up to an hour before the scan for you to drink an oral contrast that highlights your bowel. The contrast is mixed with water. You will be given 2 cups on your arrival, each cup should be sipped slowly over 30 minutes (per cup). It does not taste of anything and we can add cordial to it if you prefer. Your appointment letter will indicate if you can eat and drink as normal prior to the scan.

Oral preparation (water)

If your appointment letter states that you require water preparation, you will need to arrive 15 minutes early to your appointment and follow these instructions:

You will be asked to drink some water on your arrival at the CT Department to enhance your pictures. The Radiographer will inform you when to start drinking

You may drink water, cordial, tea and coffee with milk and sugar if you wish prior to your scan

Do NOT eat for 4 hours prior to your scan appointment

Do NOT chew chewing gum or drink fizzy drinks for 4 hours prior to your scan appointment

Cannula for contrast

A cannula may be required if your scan requires a contrast injection.

The cannula will be inserted into an arm vein or in the hand. This will be performed either outside of the scan room or on the scan table

We can also use Power injectable lines and ports, please speak with the Radiographer or clinical support worker.

PLEASE NOTE – for all scans:

• Take all prescribed medications on the day of your scan as usual, unless otherwise instructed on your appointment letter.
• Let us know in advance if you need additional assistance because of mobility issues.

If your appointment letter does NOT state that you require any preparation then you are not required to do anything before your scan and you may eat and drink as normal

Please contact us in advance of your procedure/examination on 01223 217426 if you:

• Have additional requirements that may require a longer appointment
• Require a specific appointment time due to taking time sensitive medication (e.g. insulin, medicines for Parkinson’s disease).
• Are claustrophobic,
• Are pregnant,
• Are unable to lie flat
• Have mobility issues
• Weigh 200 kg or more

Benefits

CT scans can provide doctors with the information to help diagnose a variety of conditions. The scans can help to confirm or rule out a suspected diagnosis.

A CT scan can give a detailed view of lots of different tissue types in the body, including lungs, bones, soft tissues and blood vessels.

Risks

You have been referred for a CT examination to help make a diagnosis or monitor your treatment. A specialist in radiology agrees that this is the best test to answer the clinical question that has been asked and that the benefit of the examination is greater than the risk.

Some CT scans involve a low dose of ionising radiation equivalent to a few weeks or months of natural background radiation which we are all exposed to every day.

For medium to higher dose exposures (e.g. head, thorax, abdomen or pelvis), the dose of ionising radiation is equivalent to a few months or years of natural background radiation.

Ionising radiation can cause cell damage that may turn cancerous however the risk of this happening from your examination is considered low.

Your exposure to ionising radiation is recorded and audited against reference levels to ensure the dose delivered is kept as low as is practicable.

If you require a contrast injection, you may notice a small bruise in the skin near the cannula site.

The injected contrast media may leak around the blood vessel called an extravasation. This is a rare complication, however the effects are usually minor. Some swelling and discomfort may be noticed. The staff involved with your scan can offer a warm-compress and will observe the area for a period of time and will determine if further assessment by another healthcare professional is required.

What will happen on the day of my procedure/examination?

• This will depend on what type of scan you are having. A Radiographer will explain the procedure to you before your scan.
• Please refer to your appointment letter for specific instructions
• Most scans take up to 10 minutes once you are in position on the CT table.
• You may be given breathing instructions to follow during your scan.

Accessibility requirements

If you require support for your appointment, e.g. if you find it hard to hear, see or be understood by others, please let the receptionist or healthcare professional know on arrival or contact us by email: cuh.accessibility@nhs.net or telephone: 01223 256998.

Pregnancy status

We have a legal responsibility to enquire if you are pregnant. Any patient aged between 12-55 years will be asked if there is a possibility they could be pregnant. This is important for us to know before you have your examination involving ionising radiation

You can discuss this with a healthcare professional in private if you wish.

Can I bring someone with me?

Those accompanying you may be required to stay out of the examination room during the procedure and remain in the waiting area.

Childcare whilst in department

Staff are unable to look after or supervise children whilst your procedure/examination is taking place. Please make alternative arrangements for the care of your children whilst you attend for your procedure/examination. If you attend an appointment with children with no one to look after them whilst you have your examination/procedure, then your appointment will unfortunately have to be cancelled and rescheduled.

Personal belongings

You may be asked to remove jewellery or metallic items if these are going to be included in the area of your scan, this can be done in the scan room where it will be safe during your scan

What happens after my scan?

• Most people will be free to go home shortly after their CT scan.
• If you have had a contrast injection, you will be asked to wait for 15 minutes, this will be in the waiting or side-room
• You may eat and drink as normal.
• Continue to drink plenty of fluids for the remainder of the day, especially if you have been given an injection of contrast.

Possible side effects and additional aftercare

• There are no immediate side effects to having a CT examination and no additional aftercare is required.
• If you are given an injection during your scan this usually causes nothing more than a hot flush feeling passing around your body.
• In rare cases some patients can feel a bit nauseous or itchy after having the injection of contrast. A member of staff will make sure you are feeling ok before you leave.
• If you do have any concerns after your examination you can contact the CT department on 01223 217426.

How, when and by whom will my results be communicated?

Imaging examinations are reported in order of clinical priority to ensure those with the highest urgency are reported first.

Your referring team or clinician will be responsible for communicating reports back to you.

Test results are made available via MyChart but there is 3 week delay from when an examination has been reported to when it is available on MyChart, in order to allow time for your clinical team to be able to see and action the results prior to them being released to the individual patient.

Are there any alternative tests?

There are a few different types of scan but a specialist in Radiology agrees that this is the best test to answer the clinical question that has been asked. If you would like to consider having a different type of examination you should contact your referring team or hospital clinician to discuss this.

Contacts/Further information

• If you do have any concerns about your examination, you can contact the CT Department at Addenbrooke’s Hospital on 01223 217426.
• The department is open from 7am – 7.30pm, Monday to Friday, and from 8.30am-4.30pm on Saturdays.

Facilities available

• Toilets
• Bus stop

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Directions to the department

The CT department is located on level 2 (ground floor) in the outpatient part of the hospital – near oncology.

The full address is:

CT Department

Addenbrooke’s Hospital

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Hills Road

Cambridge

CB2 0QQ

Question, concern or complaint?

Firstly speak to your Radiographer, reception staff or other staff member as soon as you can so they can do their best to put things right straightaway.

If you don’t feel able to speak directly to the people caring for you, contact the patient advice and liaison service (PALS). Please call 01223 216756 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday, via email at cuh.pals@nhs.net, or via a form available via link on the CUH PALS webpage.

PALS is open every weekday, and you can leave a message in the evenings and weekends.

MyChart

My Chart

We would encourage you to sign up for MyChart. This is the electronic patient portal at Cambridge University Hospitals that enables patients to securely access parts of their health record held within the hospital’s electronic patient record system (Epic). It is available via your home computer or mobile device

More information is available on our website: My Chart