What is CT?

CT stands for “computed tomography”, taken from the Greek word tomos meaning to cut or to slice. CT uses ordinary X-rays coupled with special detectors and computer processing to create a cross-section of body tissues and organs.

CT at Nutley

At Nutley we use an absolute state-of-the-art 64 detector Toshiba Acquilion CT scanner. It is currently the most advanced CT scanner available. Its 64 detectors mean a much faster exam…scanning is so fast that it allows us to perform studies of the Coronary Arteries. It is used, however, also as a general purpose CT scanner for any part of the body. At all offices, our CT images are forwarded to a 3D workstation, a Vital Images Vitrea workstation, where we perform sophisticated multi-planar manipulations and 3D reformations to extract the most information out of each exam.

CT at West Caldwell/ Park Street

At West Caldwell, we have a Toshiba Acquilion 32 detector scanner. The spatial resolution is identical to the 64 detector scanner we have in Nutley, though the scan times are slightly less. For the purposes of all applications except Coronary Artery Imaging, which we currently do not perform at West Caldwell, the scanners are identical.

At all offices, our CT images are forwarded to a 3D workstation, a Vital Images Vitrea workstation, where we perform sophisticated multi-planar manipulations and 3D reformations to extract the most information out of each exam. Most of the images on this website are post-processed on a Vital Images Vitrea workstation.

What to expect

With the latest multi-detector CT scanners, most examinations take less than 10 – 15 minutes. Almost all scans can be obtained while simply holding your breath. This allows scanning of the chest or abdomen in 20 seconds or less. You will be asked to lie on a comfortable table, which will slide into the opening of the machine, and you will move through the opening as your body is being scanned. If intravenous contrast material is required for your exam, a temporary IV will be placed in your arm by a nurse. For abdominal scans you will be asked to drink a dilute barium solution, beginning approximately two hours before the procedure.

CT IV Contrast Material

Intravenous contrast material is an organic compound containing Iodine, which greatly improves the visualization if blood vessels and many organs on a CT scan. IV contrast material is often necessary for proper evaluation of the head, chest and abdomen. (If you are diabetic and taking Glucophage, you may be required to discontinue the medication before your exam; please phone for instructions). Orally administered contrast material (a dilute barium solution) is usually necessary for CT scans of the abdomen and pelvis where it aids in visualization of the gastrointestinal tract.

Iodinated contrast is very safe. It is distributed in your blood, and is excreted by your kidneys, within minutes of the injection. There are two instances when it should not be used:

• Patients with kidney failure

  Since it is excreted by the kidneys, if your kidney function is not good, you should not have IV contrast. We have guidelines when it is safe to use IV contrast, and that is why you may have been asked to have a blood-test before the exam, in order for us to assess your kidney function. Rest assured, if you are going to have an IV injection of CT contrast, we would not do this without having checked your kidney function. Young, non-diabetic patients without a history of kidney disease need not have kidney function checked.

• Patients with a history of an allergic reaction to iodinated contrast

  There is a small population of people who will have a contrast reaction to iodinated contrast. The reaction is usually mild (itchiness and hives), but may be more severe (breathing problems). We routinely screen patients for a history of allergies before approving an exam with iodinated contrast. We also use modern “non-ionic” contrast materials, which are well tolerated, even by people with a history of contrast reactions.

For people with a history of contrast reactions, “pre-medication” with oral steroids (prednisone) is an effective way to avoid reactions. Your doctor can prescribe you a short course of prednisone (usually 3 pills during the day before the exam).

During the injection of iodinated contrast, you may feel flushed, or mildly nauseated. This is normal, and is not a reaction. This sensation will last only a few seconds. The injection usually lasts about 20 seconds. There is a diuretic effect of iodinated contrast, and you will almost certainly have to urinate shortly after the exam. If you have any questions about CT iodinated contast please feel free to talk to one of our radiologists or nurses.

CT Oral Contrast Material

Most CT exams of the abdomen and pelvis will require you to drink oral contrast before the exam. This contrast contains either iodinated fluid or a dilute suspension of barium. Its purpose is to make your GI tract bright, and allow the radiologist to see it clearly. Without it, it is often difficult to distinguish loops of bowel from possible pathologic entities, such as masses or fluid within the abdomen.

There are no risks. It is not absorbed, and you will pass it right out. For barium oral contrast, it is recommended that you drink a few cups of water after the exam and during the day, to dilute it further. Contrast reactions only occur with IV iodinated contrast, and not with oral barium. In addition, your kidney function is only important in determining whether IV contrast is suitable, and not oral contrast.

Oral contrast and IV contrast are frequently both administered for abdominal and pelvic exams…this is normal, and they do not replace one another. Oral contrast makes the bowel brighter, and IV contrast makes the vessels and organs brighter.