If you are in pain or ill and the doctor wants to find out why, you may have to have a CT scan. With a CT scan, doctors can see what you look like on the inside. Check out how such a scan works!
First you have to report to the administration desk at the radiology service. Then you wait in the waiting room until it is your turn.
It may be necessary to get a shot with contrast medium in order to take clearer pictures. The liquid can make you feel a little warm inside. Usually you know in advance whether or not you need a shot. In most cases your mum or dad may be present during this procedure.
When it is your turn, you enter the room. At the centre you will see a table with a large circle. The nurse will ask you to lie down on that table.
The nurse, the play assistant or one of your parents may stay with you during the examination. They have to wear special aprons, which are very thick and heavy.
You have to lie very still to take the photos. If the doctor needs pictures of your head, the nurse will put some mousse around your head so that you cannot move your head.
When the examination starts, the table will begin to move.
Your head or another part of your body will be under the circle. Here you can see the circle you will be going through from a little closer. During the examination, the table may move back and forth through the circle several times.
It may seem like you have to lie still for a very long time... If you want, you can close your eyes for a while.
Here you can see the CT scan from the nurses' desk. At the bottom of the picture you can see part of a computer screen on which the nurses can see the pictures taken by the device.
When the examination is over, you get to choose a small present and then go back to your room or home.
