A CT (computed tomography) scan is an examination in which a computer processes a series of radiographs into images. These images appear as thin slices of the body.
The bone structures and soft tissues (e.g. liver, kidneys, etc.) all remain visible on CT scan.
| Scan | Fasting required? |
| CT chest | 4 hours |
| CT neck | 4 hours |
| CT thyroid | no |
| CT abdomen | 4 hours |
| CT vertebral column | no |
| CT sinuses | no |
| CT joints | no |
| CT blood vessels | 4 hours |
| CT heart | 4 hours |
If the scan is in the morning, then you must not eat or drink anything that morning.
If the scan is in the afternoon, you may eat breakfast.
For a CT scan of the stomach and pelvic organs, it is sometimes necessary to drink 1 litre of water with a small amount of contrast agent 1 hour before the scan.
You lie on a movable table. A series of photos are taken as the table gradually moves into the scanner.
A contrast medium is administered either into a vein or via a probe, depending on the scan. This can give you a warm sensation, dry mouth or urge to pee. These are normal symptoms that soon disappear again.
The scan lasts approximately 10 minutes.
The specialist at the hospital will receive the result. You can go back to him/her after the examination.
If a doctor or specialist outside the Jan Yperman Hospital requested the examination, you will receive a letter with a personal PIN code and instructions.
Please contact your treating doctor for more information.
