UNION HOSPITAL CLINTON- IMAGING SERVICES

CT Imaging Definitions

CT Abdomen:

Routine Abdomen is preformed with oral and IV contrast. The exceptions are for evaluating kidney stones, which do not require any contrast, and evaluating the aorta, which only requires IV contrast.

Patient drinks one bottle of contrast one hour prior to the exam. Nothing to eat or drink for a minimum of 4 hours prior to exam.

When a CT Abdomen and CT Pelvis is ordered together, the patient drinks one bottle of contrast the night before the exam and one bottle of contrast one hour prior to the exam. Nothing to eat or drink for a minimum of 4 hours prior to the exam

The exam lasts approximately 30 minutes.

CT Pelvis:

Usually a CT Pelvis is ordered in conjunction with a CT Abdomen. The prep for this one bottle of contrast the night before the exam and one bottle of contrast one hour prior to the exam. Nothing to eat or drink for a minimum of 4 hours prior to the test.

When a CT Pelvis is ordered by itself, the patient must drink one bottle of contrast the night before the exam. Nothing to eat or drink for 4 hours prior to the test.

The exam lasts approximately 30 minutes.

CT Head/Brain:

If the exam is ordered with contrast, the patient should have nothing to eat or drink for 4 hours prior to the exam. If the exam is ordered without contrast, there is no prep to follow.

The exam lasts approximately 20 minutes.

CT Chest/Thorax:

If the exam is ordered with contrast, the patient should have nothing to eat or drink for 4 hours prior to the exam. If the exam is ordered without contrast, there is no prep to follow.

The exam lasts approximately 20 minutes.

CT Upper/Lower Extremity:

There is no prep to follow for these exams.

The exam lasts approximately 20 minutes.

CT Neck:

If the exam is ordered with contrast, the patient should have nothing to eat or drink for 4 hours prior to the exam. If the exam is ordered without contrast, there is no prep to follow.

The exam lasts approximately 30 minutes.

CT Spine (Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar):

There is no prep to follow for these exams.

The exam lasts approximately 20 minutes.

CT Carotid Arteries:

The exam is only performed with IV contrast. Nothing to eat or drink for 4 hours prior to the exam.

The exam lasts approximately 30 minutes.

CT Sinus/Facial Bones:

There is no prep to follow for these exams.

The exam lasts approximately 20 minutes.