Computed Tomography (CT) Scan of the Bones

What’s a CT scan of the bones?

CT is a sort of imaging check. It makes use of X-rays and a pc to make detailed photographs of the physique. A CT scan exhibits particulars of the bones, muscular tissues, fats, and organs. CT scans are extra detailed than commonplace X-rays. In an emergency, they’ll present inner accidents and bleeding rapidly.

In commonplace X-rays, a beam of power is aimed on the physique half being studied. A plate behind the physique half captures the variations of the power beam after it passes by pores and skin, bone, muscle, and different tissue. Whereas your healthcare supplier can get a lot info from a typical X-ray, it doesn’t give a number of element about inner organs and different constructions.

In a CT scan, an X-ray beam strikes in a circle or spiral across the physique. This permits many various views of the identical organ or construction. The X-ray info is shipped to a pc that interprets the X-ray knowledge and shows it in a 2-dimensional (2D) kind on a monitor.

CT scans could also be carried out with or with out “distinction.” Distinction is a substance taken by mouth or injected into an IV (intravenous) line. It causes the actual organ or tissue underneath examine to indicate up extra clearly on the scan.

CT scans of the bones can provide extra detailed details about the bone tissue and bone construction than commonplace X-rays of the bone. CT scans can provide healthcare suppliers extra details about accidents or ailments of the bone.

Why would possibly I would like a CT scan of the bones?

A CT scan of the bones could also be used to have a look at your bones for injury, lesions, fractures, or different issues. A CT scan may also take a look at joints and delicate tissues, comparable to cartilage, muscular tissues, and tendons. It’s useful in staging most cancers, too.

A CT scan could also be carried out when a bodily examination or different check, comparable to an X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, doesn’t give sufficient info.

There could also be different causes in your healthcare supplier to advocate a CT scan of the bones.

What are the dangers of a CT scan of the bones?

It’s possible you’ll need to ask your healthcare supplier in regards to the quantity of radiation used throughout a CT scan and the dangers tied to your specific scenario. Radiation from CT scans varies. However it could be as much as 100 occasions larger than a standard chest X-ray. It’s a good suggestion to maintain a report of your radiation publicity, comparable to earlier CT scans and different sorts of X-rays, to be able to inform your healthcare supplier. Dangers linked to radiation publicity could also be associated to the overall variety of X-ray exams and coverings over an extended interval.

In case you are pregnant or assume that you could be be, inform your healthcare supplier. Radiation publicity throughout being pregnant might result in delivery defects. If it’s obligatory so that you can have a CT scan of the bones, particular precautions shall be taken to scale back the radiation publicity to the fetus.

Nursing dad and mom ought to discuss with their supplier about whether or not to delay breastfeeding after receiving distinction. There are conflicting suggestions on this subject.

If distinction dye is used, there’s a threat for allergic response to the dye. In case you are allergic to or delicate to medicines, distinction, or iodine, inform your healthcare supplier. Research present that most individuals is not going to have an hostile response from distinction. However you have to to let your healthcare supplier know when you have ever had a response to any distinction dye or any kidney issues. A seafood allergy doesn’t imply you may’t have distinction.

Inform your healthcare supplier when you have kidney issues. In some circumstances, the distinction dye may cause kidney failure. Individuals with kidney illness are extra vulnerable to kidney injury after distinction publicity.

There could also be different dangers relying in your particular well being situation. Discuss any issues together with your healthcare supplier earlier than the scan.

How do I prepare for a CT scan of the bones?

Your healthcare supplier will clarify the scan to you and provide you with an opportunity to ask any questions.

In case your CT scan entails using distinction dye, you may be requested to signal a consent kind that offers permission to do the process. Learn the shape rigorously and ask questions if something isn’t clear.

Inform the technologist when you have ever had a response to any distinction dye, or in case you are allergic to iodine.

Inform your healthcare supplier of all medicines (prescribed and over-the-counter), nutritional vitamins, herbs, and dietary supplements that you’re taking.

Typically, there isn’t a fasting (not consuming) requirement earlier than a CT scan, except a distinction dye is for use. Your healthcare supplier offers you particular directions forward of time if distinction is for use and if you have to to withhold foods and drinks.

Inform the technologist in case you are pregnant or assume chances are you’ll be.

Inform the technologist when you have any physique piercings in your chest or abdomen.

Based mostly in your well being situation, your healthcare supplier might request different particular preparations.

In case you are claustrophobic, ask your healthcare supplier about medication to assist with the check.

What occurs throughout a CT scan of the bones?

CT scans could also be carried out on an outpatient foundation or as a part of your keep in a hospital. Procedures might fluctuate relying in your situation and your healthcare supplier’s practices.

Typically, a CT scan of the bones follows this course of:

You can be requested to take away any clothes, jewellery, or different objects that will intervene with the scan, comparable to eyeglasses, hairpins, dentures, and probably listening to aids.

In case you are requested to take away clothes, you may be given a robe to put on.

In case you are to have a scan carried out with distinction, an IV (intravenous) line shall be began in your hand or arm for injection of the distinction dye.

You’ll lie on a slender scan desk that slides into a big, round opening of the ring-shaped scanning machine. Pillows and straps could also be used to assist stop motion through the scan.

The technologist shall be in one other room the place the scanner controls are positioned. However you may be in fixed sight of the technologist by a window. Audio system contained in the scanner will enable the technologist to speak to you and listen to you. You should have a name button to be able to let the technologist know when you have any issues through the scan. The technologist shall be watching you always and shall be in fixed communication.

The scanner will start to rotate round you. X-rays will move by your physique for brief quantities of time. You’ll hear clicking and whirring sounds, that are regular.

The X-rays absorbed by the physique’s tissues shall be detected by the scanner and despatched to the pc. The pc will rework the knowledge into a picture to be interpreted by the radiologist.

It will likely be essential so that you can keep very nonetheless through the scan. It’s possible you’ll be requested to carry your breath for a short while at numerous occasions through the scan.

If distinction dye is used, you may be faraway from the scanner after the primary set of scans has been accomplished. A second set of scans shall be taken after the distinction dye has been given.

If distinction dye is used, chances are you’ll really feel some results when the dye is injected into the IV line. These results embody a heat, flushing sensation, a salty or metallic style within the mouth, a short headache, or nausea. These results often solely final for just a few moments.

Inform the technologist when you have bother respiration, sweating, numbness, or coronary heart palpitations.

When the scan has been accomplished, you may be faraway from the scanner.

If an IV line was inserted, it will likely be eliminated.

It’s possible you’ll be requested to attend for a brief interval whereas the radiologist examines the scans to verify they’re clear.

Whereas the CT scan itself causes no ache, having to lie nonetheless for the size of the scan may be uncomfortable, notably if you happen to’ve not too long ago been injured or had surgical procedure. The technologist will use all doable consolation measures and full the scan as rapidly as doable to scale back any discomfort or ache.

What occurs after a CT scan of the bones?

If distinction dye was used, chances are you’ll be watched for a time for any negative effects or reactions to the distinction dye, comparable to itching, swelling, rash, or bother respiration. Inform the radiologist or your healthcare supplier immediately if you happen to discover any of those signs.

If you happen to discover any ache, redness, or swelling on the IV web site after you go residence, inform your healthcare supplier. This might be an indication of an infection or different kind of response.

In any other case, there isn’t a particular kind of care wanted after a CT scan of the bones. It’s possible you’ll return to your normal weight loss plan and actions except your healthcare supplier tells you otherwise.

Your healthcare supplier might provide you with different directions after the process relying in your specific scenario.

Subsequent steps

Earlier than you comply with the check or process, ensure you know:

The identify of the check or process

The explanation you might be having the check or process

What outcomes to anticipate and what they imply

The dangers and advantages of the check or process

What the doable negative effects or issues are

When and the place you might be to have the check or process

Who will do the check or process and what that particular person’s {qualifications} are

What would occur if you happen to didn’t have the check or process

Any different assessments or procedures to consider

When and the way you’re going to get the outcomes

Who to name after the check or process when you have questions or issues

How a lot you’ll have to pay for the check or process