Welcome to Medi-Rad Associates

Medi-Rad Associates Ltd Radiologic Clinic

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	contactus@ medirad.com.sg
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Bone Mineral Densitometry I Breast Imaging Services I Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Computed Tomography I Contrast Study I Fluoroscopy I General Radiography I Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Nuclear Medicine & PET Scan I Ultrasound

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY

	What is Computed Tomography?
	Benefits of CT
	Risks of CT
	Preparing for the CT Examination
	The CT Examination
	After The CT Examination
	How Long Will it Take?
	When Can You Expect Results?
	Types of CT Services Available
	Locations Where CT Examinations Are Available
	Useful Links

WHAT IS COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY?

A Computed Tomography or CT scan is a special examination using x-rays and special computers to produce cross-sectional images of the body, giving detailed information for diagnosis.

The advanced multislice CT equipment installed at our facilities is capable of producing high-resolution scans within very short scanning time.

With advancement in technology, the data can be reconstructed in various planes to produce 3D images with surface rendering, virtual colonoscopy, angiography and cardiac coronary vessels.

BENEFITS OF CT

	Unlike other imaging methods, CT scanning offers detailed views of many types of tissue, including the lungs, bones, soft tissues and blood vessels.
	CT scanning is painless, non-invasive and accurate.
	CT examinations are fast and simple. They can be useful in emergency cases where they can reveal internal injuries and bleeding quickly enough to save lives.
	CT scanning can identify both normal and abnormal structures, making it a useful tool to guide radiotherapy, needle biopsies and other minimally invasive procedures.
	CT has been shown to be a cost-effective imaging tool for a wide range of clinical problems.

RISKS OF CT

	CT does involve exposure to radiation in the form of x-rays, but the benefits of an accurate diagnosis far outweighs the risk. The effective radiation dose from this procedure is about 10 mSv, which is about the same as what an average person receives from background radiation in three years.
	Women should always inform their doctor, nurse of radiographer if there is any possibility that they are pregnant.
	Nursing mothers should wait for 24 hours after contrast material injection before resuming breast feeding.
	The risk of serious allergic reaction to iodine-containing contrast material is 1%.
	The risk of extravasation where injury to blood vessel causes leakage of contrast to surrounding tissues is 0.1% or 1 in 1,000.

PREPARING FOR THE CT EXAMINATION

	Appointment is necessary and can be made by calling the clinic where the service is available.
	Please bring along all of your previous x-ray and CT films for comparison.
	Patient should fast for about four hours if intravenous contrast injection is required. Contrast injection is a medication that enhances and better defines blood vessels and accentuates the appearance between normal and abnormal tissue in organs.
	No special preparation is required if no intravenous contrast is given. No intravenous contrast will be given if a plain CT or cardiac scoring is requested.
	Please inform our staff if you have any history of allergies.
	As the developing embryo is much more sensitive to x-radiation exposure, patients must inform the radiographer or physician, prior to any x-ray examination if there is any possibility of pregnancy.
	Please be punctual for your appointment.

THE CT EXAMINATION

Before the Examination
	You will be asked if you have any history of allergies and kidney function.
	Informed consent will be obtained if intravenous contrast is required.
	If the CT is to examine your abdomen, you will be asked to swallow a liquid contrast material that will enable better visualisation of the stomach and bowels. It may be necessary for you to wait while the contrast material reaches the bowels. If the lower bowels are to be studied, we may need to administer contrast material by enema.
	An intravenous injection line may be set up in preparation of the intravenous injection.
	The patient will also change into a hospital gown and remove anything which interferes with the X-ray such as glasses, jewellery, dentures and hearing aids.

During the Examination
	The patient will be positioned on a padded table and moved into the doughnut shaped ring in the centre of the scanning machine.
	The X-ray tube then rotates around the patient. X-ray passing through the patient's body are transmitted via sensors in the ring, computer processed and displayed as an image on a video screen. The radiologist then interprets film or video copies of the image.
	Meanwhile, the patient will hear humming, buzzing or clicking sounds from the CT machine. The table moves every few seconds to position the patient for a new scan, the remaining still will ensure clearer images.
	The radiographer will be able to see and hear you at all times.
	You will be intermittently asked to stop breathing. It is important to follow the instructions given in order to ensure that the examination is successful.
	If the intravenous injection is given, a warm sensation will be felt as the injection goes through the body. Some people report feeling a flush of heat or a metallic taste in the mouth. These sensations usually disappear within a minute or two.

AFTER THE CT EXAMINATION

Following the examination procedure, the patient will be required to lie still on the table while the radiologist confirms that the necessary information has been obtained. The patient can then return home or to the ward.

Unless other scans are scheduled, the patient may eat normal meals and should also drink plenty of fluids to eliminate the contrast agent from his body.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

Depending on the parts to be examined, the total examination (starting from the preparation) can take from 15 to 90 minutes.

WHEN CAN YOU EXPECT RESULTS?

Images will be reviewed by the radiologist to check that they are clear. The report will be sent to your doctor who will then discuss the scan results with you.

TYPES OF CT SERVICES AVAILABLE

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY

Head (with contrast) Head (plain) Spine Abdomen Angiography Aorta Chest Limb	Sinuses Chest screening Renal screening Cardiac Scoring Mandibl Nasopharynx Neck Pituitary Fossa

LOCATIONS WHERE CT EXAMINATIONS ARE AVAILABLE

Radiologic Clinic, Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre

CT Centre

Arcade

Novena

USEFUL LINKS

ACR and RSNA Radiology Info

Terms & Conditions/Notices l sitemap