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Palatine Heart Center
523 Old Northwest Highway,
Barrington, IL 60010
Phone (847) 381-1200
Fax (847) 381-1904 |
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Heart Lung Center
360 Station Drive
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Phone (815) 477-8900
Fax (815) 477-7160 |
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| CT Scan of the Chest |
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| CT Scan of the Chest |
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| A CT or CAT scan is a shortened name for computerized tomography. A CT scan takes pictures of the inside of the body. The pictures are more detailed than a typical x-ray. During a CT scan of the chest, pictures are taken of cross sections or slices of the thoracic structures in your body. The thoracic structures include your lungs, heart and the bones around these areas. When contrast is used during a CT scan of the chest thoracic structures are highlighted even more. CT scans can help determine a diagnosis and the information from this test will be utilized to plan the best treatment for you. |
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| What is done during the test? |
| The radiology technologist will explain the CT scan with contrast to you before you start. Ask questions if you don’t understand. Before the study you will need to remove all clothing and jewelry from the waist up. You will be given a hospital gown to wear. If your test requires contrast, the technologist will start an IV. The IV will be used to give you the contrast media. The contrast media will be injected into the IV.The CT scan does not hurt. You will feel a prick when the IV is started. Many people feel a warm “flush” as the contrast media is injected. This is normal and passes quickly. |
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| The CT scanner includes a table you will lie on and a doughnut shaped ring that will move over the table. You will lie still on the table. The technologist will give you instructions during the test. You will be asked to raise your arms above your head some times. You will also be asked to hold your breath for 10 to 12 seconds. While you hold your breath the table will move through the ring while pictures are taken. The pictures will be taken before, during and after the contrast media is injected into the IV. It is important to lie still while the images are taken. This can take between 20 and 60 minutes. |
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| What should you do after the test? |
| Drink extra fluids for several hours after the test. |
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