What To Expect Before a Chest CT Scan
What To Wear
Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing for the
test. In some cases, the CT scan technician (a person specially trained to do
CT scans) may ask you to wear a hospital gown.
You also may want to avoid wearing jewelry and other
metal objects. You’ll be asked to take off any jewelry, eyeglasses, and
metal objects that might interfere with the test.
You may be asked to remove hearing aids and dentures
as well. Let the technician know if you have any body piercing on your chest.
Pregnancy and Other Conditions
Tell your doctor whether you’re pregnant or
may be pregnant. If possible, you should avoid unnecessary radiation exposure
during pregnancy. This is because of the concern that radiation may harm the
fetus.
You and your doctor will decide whether the benefits
of a chest CT scan outweigh the possible risks to the fetus, or whether another
test might be better. If you do have the chest CT scan, the technician will
take extra steps to reduce the fetus’ exposure to radiation.
You also should tell your doctor whether:
- You’re taking any medicines
- You have any allergies
- You’ve recently been ill
- You have any medical conditions (for example,
heart disease,
asthma,
diabetes, kidney disease, or thyroid problems)
These factors or conditions may raise your risk for
a bad reaction to the test.
The CT Machine
The CT scanner is a large machine with a tunnel-like
hole in the center. You lie on a table that goes through the hole.
Tell your doctor if you’re afraid of tight or
closed spaces. He or she may give you medicine to help you relax. This medicine
may make you sleepy, so you’ll need to arrange for a ride home after the
test.
Contrast Dye
Your doctor may give you a special substance (called
contrast dye). This substance highlights areas of your chest and helps create
clearer images.
The contrast dye will be injected into a vein in
your arm. You may feel some discomfort when the needle is inserted. As the
substance is injected, you also may feel warm and have a metallic taste in your
mouth. These feelings last only a few minutes.
Your doctor may ask you not to eat or drink for a
few hours before the test, especially if contrast dye is part of the test.
Some people are allergic to the contrast dye. If you
have allergic symptoms, such as itching or hives, tell the technician or doctor
right away. He or she can give you medicine to relieve the symptoms.
The most common type of contrast dye used in lung CT
scans contains iodine. Let your doctor know if you’re allergic to iodine.
If you’re breast-feeding, ask your doctor how
long you should wait after the test before you breast-feed. The contrast dye
can be passed to your baby through your breast milk.
You may want to prepare for the test by pumping and
saving milk for 24 to 48 hours in advance. You can bottle-feed your baby in the
hours after the CT scan. |