CT Scan

A CT scan is a series of X-rays taken from different angles. These are fed into a computer processor to produce detailed cross-sectional images of the inside of your body. The CT scanner is a short tunnel with a bed that slides inside it while the X-ray tube rotates around your body.

The X-rays produced by a CT scan are more detailed than plain X-rays. In some cases, contrast dye may be used to show up certain structures inside your body more clearly, for example, blood vessels or intestines.

Doctors use CT scans routinely to diagnose conditions affecting the head, neck, chest, spine, bones and internal organs. They may help to pinpoint the precise location of an infection or tumour, to monitor the effectiveness of certain types of treatment, such as cancer treatment, or to guide some surgical procedures or biopsies. Here at Berkshire Imaging we carry out more specialist CT scans such as:

• Cardiac CT scans to investigate chest pains without the need for a more invasive procedure called an angiogram. A cardiac CT scans the coronary arteries.
• CT colonography is a less invasive procedure than a traditional colonoscopy. It is used to detect polyps and cancers of the colon.
• CT angiography is used to evaluate blood vessels in the arms and legs without the need for more invasive techniques.

Depending on which part of your body is being scanned, you may need to come into the X-ray department up to an hour before your scan. If we are scanning internal organs or blood vessels we may give you an injection of contrast dye into your arm. This can sometimes create a warm feeling or an unusual taste in your mouth or you may feel like you need to go for a wee.

These sensations are normal and will quickly pass. If we are doing an abdominal scan we may ask you to drink a special liquid. This shows up your bowel more clearly on the scans.

We will ask you to lie on the scanner. It has a moving bed that slides inside the CT tunnel. Unlike an MRI scan, the CT tunnel is very short. The time inside it is very brief so most patients don’t feel claustrophobic. If you do have any concerns, please get in touch.

Although you will be exposed to a small amount of radiation during a CT scan, we use a highly advanced type of scanner. This scanner is capable of producing very detailed images using a small radiation dose.

Your scan will enable your doctor or consultant to make an accurate diagnosis or plan the most effective course of treatment for your condition. For this reason the benefits are generally believed to outweigh any small amount of risk. However, if you are concerned, talk to your doctor or radiologist.

CT scans can be used for image guided treatments such as image guided joint and soft tissue injections.

We use these leading edge CT imaging technologies to improve the efficacy of certain types of treatment. These are minimally-invasive pinhole treatments where CT scan can increase accuracy of the procedure.