Having a CT Scan
A CT scan (Computerised Tomography) is an X-ray examination which uses a specialised scanner to obtain cross sectional images through the body and computer processing reconstructs the images. This information may help your consultant with diagnosis and planning of your treatment.
Why do I need CT scan?
Your doctor or healthcare professional should have explained how the results from an CT scan having can help improve your diagnosis or treatment. Our aim is to ensure that the benefits from having the CT and the correct diagnosis, or treatment outweigh the risk involved with the CT scan.
What happens during the scan?
- You may be asked to change into a gown by a member of staff depending on which part of your body is to be scanned.
- You will then be taken into the CT room and positioned into the scanner.
- You will be asked to keep still and not to move throughout the scan.
- We will make you comfortable and answer any queries you may have.
- The scan will then be undertaken.
The scanner consists of a ring that rotates around a small section of your body as you pass through it. The radiographer will be able to see and speak to you throughout the scan and the length of the scan will vary depending on which area is being looked at this will be confirmed at your appointment.
You can expect to be in the X-ray Department for up to one hour. Many scans are however completed sooner than this.
What happens after the scan?
You should be able to go home or back to work after the scan. Your scan results will not be available immediately. A computer will reconstruct the information from your scan which will be analysed by a Radiologist (a doctor who is a specialist in interpreting images). The Radiologist will write a report which will be accessed by the Consultant, Doctor or Allied Health professional who referred you for the scan, this will allow them to discuss the results with you. This normally takes between a few days or weeks.
Important note
If you are within childbearing age (11-55), depending on the area you are having scanned, you may have received a letter asking you to call the Imaging department to book your CT scan. If you have received this letter, please call the Imaging department via the details below to book your appointment. We will need to establish if there is any chance of pregnancy and book your CT scan within 10 days or your last menstrual period. (We will still need you to call even if you do not experience regular periods.)
Known risks
The use of ionizing radiation will be kept to a minimum. However, CT is regarded as higher than conventional X-ray. Generally, the amount of radiation you are exposed to during each CT scan is equivalent to between a few months to a few years of background radiation which occurs naturally. It is thought exposure to radiation during a CT scan could slightly increase your chance of developing cancer many years later, although the risk is thought to be very small (less than 1 in 2000). More information is available on patient dose information: www.gov.uk.
The benefits and risks of having a CT scan will be weighed up by the referrer before it is recommended.
Occasionally, some examinations require the use of a contrast agent (x-ray dye) to demonstrate some structures, the use of contrast carries a very small risk of reaction: the incidence of severe reaction with non-ionic agents is 0.04% and very serious reaction is 0.004% (Royal College of Radiologists figures).
If your scan requires contrast, you will have been asked to have some blood taken first, this may be either at your GP or in the hospital. This is to check your kidney function and ensure it is safe for you to have the contrast.
Please let the department know if you have any allergies. This dye will be given through an intravenous cannula which will be inserted by the radiographers prior to the scan and removed after the examination.
More information
Contact details
Imaging Department - 0121 812 3370 /
If you are unable to keep your appointment it is important that you let us know as soon as you can on the contact details provided above. Failure to inform us may mean that you will not be sent a further appointment in the future.