CT (MDCT)
A
multi-detector (or multi-slice) computed tomography scan, also known as
MDCT, CT or CAT scan, uses a special type of x-ray to obtain information from
different angles around the body. Computers process the information and create
cross-sectional images that appear as "slices" of the body and organs.
WIS offers
one of the most advanced scanning systems available—the Siemens 16-slice
MDCT scanner. It provides faster, higher-quality image acquisition (32-40
images slices per second) with less radiation exposure. With an MDCT scan,
a radiologist
can see the location, nature, and extent of many different diseases or abnormalities
inside the body. Richly-detailed data can be captured about almost any body
organ, such as the liver, pancreas, intestines, kidneys, adrenal glands,
lungs and heart, as well as the blood vessels, abdominal cavity, bones and
spinal cord.
In addition to performing MDCT diagnostic scans with and without contrast,
WIS offers Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring or CACS—a screening exam that
identifies early signs of coronary artery disease.
WIS radiologists with advanced training in neuroradiology and musculoskeletal
imaging also perform therapeutic spine
and joint injections using MDCT guidance.
Abdomen/Pelvis
MDCT
Angiogram
MDCT
Brain
MDCT
Chest
MDCT
Colonography
MDCT (Also known as Virtual Colonoscopy)
Coronary
Angiogram MDCT
Coronary
Artery MDCT (Also known as Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring or CACS)
Low-dose Lung Screening MDCT
Sinus
MDCT
Spine
MDCT
Abdomen/Pelvis
MDCT
Evaluates the liver, spleen, pancreas,
kidneys and lower GI tract, including the colon and rectum.
Preparation
- Continue to take your routine medications.
- Drink 2 containers of Redi-Cat
(450ml each) 3 hours prior to your exam.
- If you are over the age of 65 or
have Renal Insufficiency and will be receiving I.V. contrast as part of your
MDCT exam, you must have a BUN/creatinine drawn within 30 days of you exam
date.
- While at WIS, you will be given an additional cup of Redi-Cat 2 to
drink just before your examination.
- Please notify the technologist if you
have had a barium study within the last 3 days.
- Please notify the technologist
if you are pregnant or could be pregnant.
- Allow 15-30 minutes for the exam.
- Consult the MDCT Exam Guidelines for more information.
Angiogram
MDCT
Evaluates arteries outside the heart.
Preparation
- Continue to take your routine medications.
- Take nothing by mouth 6 hours
prior to your exam.
- If you are over the age of 65 or have Renal Insufficiency
and will be receiving I.V. contrast as part of your MDCT exam, you must have
a BUN/Creatinine drawn within 30 days of your exam date.
- Please notify the
technologist if you have had a barium exam within the last 3 days.
- Please
notify the technologist if you are pregnant or could be pregnant.
- Allow
30 minutes for the exam.
- Consult the MDCT Exam Guidelines for more information.
Brain
MDCT
Assesses head injuries, stroke,
brain tumors and other brain diseases.
Preparation
- Continue to take your routine medications.
- Take nothing by mouth 3 hours
prior to your exam.
- Please notify the technologist if you are pregnant or
could be pregnant.
- Allow 20 minutes for the exam.
- Consult the MDCT Exam
Guidelines for more information.
Chest
MDCT
Assesses for lung cancer and other
lung diseases.
Preparation
- Continue to take your routine medications.
- Take nothing by mouth 3 hours
prior to your exam.
- If you are over the age of 65 or have Renal Insufficiency
and will be receiving I.V. contrast as part of your MDCT exam, you must have
a BUN/creatinine drawn within 30 days of your exam date.
- Please notify the
technologist if you have had a barium study within the last 3 days.
- Please
notify the technologist if you are pregnant or could be pregnant.
- Allow
15-30 minutes for the exam.
- Consult the MDCT Exam Guidelines for more information.
Colonography
MDCT (Also known as Virtual Colonoscopy)
Evaluates
the entire colon for polyps and early signs of cancer. A virtual colonoscopy
requires NO sedation, is minimally invasive, more comfortable, safer and
faster than a traditional colonoscopy. It is based on a MDCT scan of the
abdomen and pelvis while the colon has been gently inflated with CO2 from
a small enema tip inserted into the rectum.
Preparation
- A 24-hour bowel cleansing prep is required, just as in a conventional
optical colonoscopy. This includes a liquid diet and the drinking of a bowel
prep kit liquid. (You may pick up the kit at WIS or at you doctor’s
office at the time of scheduling.) Follow the directions closely as bowel
residue may interfere with polyp detection.
- Continue to take your routine
medications.
- Take nothing by mouth 3 hours prior to your exam.
- Please notify
the technologist if you are pregnant or could be pregnant, or if you are
breastfeeding.
- Please notify the technologist if you have had a barium study
within the last 3 days.
- Allow 10 minutes for the exam.
- Consult the MDCT
Exam Guidelines for more information.
Coronary
Angiogram MDCT
Evaluates the coronary arteries.
Preparation
- Continue to take your routine medications.
- Take nothing by mouth 6 hours
prior to your exam.
- Avoid caffeine and other stimulants 12 hours prior to
the scan.
- If you are over the age of 65 or have Renal Insufficiency and
will be receiving I.V. contrast as part of your MDCT exam, you must have
a BUN/Creatinine drawn within 30 days prior to the exam.
- If your heart rate
is above 70, we may have to give you a drug to slow your heart to 55-60 beats
per minute.
- Please notify the technologist if you have had a barium exam
within the last 3 days.
- Please notify the technologist if you are pregnant
or could be pregnant.
- Allow 30 minutes for the exam.
- Consult the MDCT Exam
Guidelines for more information.
Coronary
Artery MDCT (Also known as Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring or CACS)
Assesses the location and extent
of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries. The findings are expressed
as a calcium score that is an early-stage indicator of potential coronary
artery disease and allows for interventional treatment and life-style modification.
Preparation
- Continue to take your routine medications.
- Take nothing by mouth 3 hours
prior to your exam.
- Avoid caffeine and other stimulants for 12 hours prior
to the scan.
- Please notify the technologist if you have had a barium exam
within the last 3 days.
- Please notify the technologist if you are pregnant
or could be pregnant.
- Allow 15 minutes for the exam.
- In addition to the forms required of all patients, print out and complete
the CACS Patient History Form and bring it with you to your appointment.
(See Patient Forms for the listing.)
- Consult the MDCT Exam
Guidelines for more information.
Low-dose Lung Screening MDCT
Detects small lung nodules that may be the earliest
sign of lung cancer in patients of high risk of developing the disease. This
exam uses a very low radiation dose and no intravenous contrast.
Preparation
- Continue to take your routine medications.
- No preparation is necessary.
- Please notify the technologist if you are pregnant or could be pregnant.
- Allow 10-15 minutes for the exam.
- Consult the MDCT Exam Guidelines for
more information.
Sinus
MDCT
Evaluates
sinus and nasal structures and abnormalities.
Preparation
- No appointment is necessary.
- Continue to take your routine medications.
- No preparation is necessary.
- Please notify the technologist if you are
pregnant or could be pregnant.
- Allow 5 minutes for the exam.
- Consult the
MDCT Exam Guidelines for more information.
Spine
MDCT
Evaluates spinal column damage due
to injury, detects tumors and fractures.
Preparation
- Continue to take your routine medications.
- No preparation is necessary.
- Please notify the technologist if you are pregnant or could be pregnant.
- Allow 10-15 minutes for the exam.
- Consult the MDCT Exam Guidelines for
more information.
MDCT Exam Guidelines
Preparation
- Prior to your scheduled appointment, WIS will call you to discuss specific
instructions, review your health and insurance information and answer any
questions.
- For your convenience, print out and complete the appropriate Patient
Forms,
including Patient Registration and Patient History. Bring them with you to
your appointment.
- Follow the specific preparation instructions listed above for
your particular type of MDCT exam. These may include consuming a pre-exam
barium sulfate solution, dietary restrictions and/or instructions on drinking
fluids. Take your medication as usual (unless your physician has given you
other instructions).
- If you’ve had an allergic reaction to a contrast agent in any prior
imaging exam, please notify our staff before your appointment.
- Leave your valuables at home. All jewelry and any metal
objects must be removed prior to the exam.
- Wear comfortable clothing without
zippers, snaps or metal buttons. Or, you may change into a hospital gown
or scrubs after arriving.
- Please notify the technologist if you are pregnant
or could be pregnant.
- Please bring all relevant prior examination films
or studies (CT, MRI, ultrasound, x-rays, etc.) with you on the day of your
exam.
- Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your exam.
What to Expect During the
Exam
- The technologist will help position you comfortably on a cushioned table.
The table top will move through a gantry (shaped like a big donut) that has
an x-ray tube on one side and an arc-shaped detector mounted on the opposite
side.
- During each full rotation, a fan-shaped x-ray beam is passed through
your body and an image of a thin section is acquired. The detector records
about 1,000 images or slices of the expanded x-ray beam per rotation.
- A
computer reconstructs the slices into two-dimensional (cross-sectional) and/or
three-dimensional images of your internal anatomy. Normally an entire scan
can be done with a single breath hold.
- Some MDCT studies require a contrast
material to enhance the visibility of certain tissues or blood vessels. The
contrast is injected through an I.V. in your hand or arm. You may feel a
warm, flushed sensation and experience a metallic taste in your mouth that
lasts for a few minutes.
- You will receive special instructions if your exam
requires you to consume an oral contrast agent in advance.
- Depending on
the type of exam, your MDCT scan can take between 10-30 minutes.
What to Expect After the
Exam
- You may leave as soon as the exam is completed and resume normal activities.
- Your normal diet may be resumed.
- If you were given a contrast agent orally
or by I.V., drinking plenty of water after the exam will help flush your
system.
- Your imaging study will be interpreted by a WIS board certified
radiologist who specializes in the area of the body being scanned.
- Your
referring physician will receive a report and pictures detailing the findings
of your exam within 24 hours. You should contact your doctor to discuss the
results.
For more information on MDCT, check out the
Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQs) page on this modality.
