What is a CT scan (CAT scan)?

A CT scan is a test that uses x-rays and a computer to create detailed pictures of the inside of your body. It takes pictures from different angles. The computer puts them together to make a 3 dimensional (3D) image.  

CT (or CAT) stands for computed (axial) tomography.

You usually have a CT scan in the x-ray or radiology department as an outpatient. A radiographer  operates the scanner and looks after you while you have your scan. The whole appointment can take about an hour and a half, depending on which part of your body they are scanning. 

You might have a CT scan combined with another test such as a PET scan (PET-CT scan). Or you might have a different type of CT scan depending on what information your doctor wants to know. For example, a CT urogram is a different type of CT scan. This type looks at the urinary system .

Why do I need a CT scan?

You might have a CT scan:

• to diagnose a range of conditions including cancer

• to help work out where the cancer is, how close it is to nearby organs and how big it is - this can help your doctors decide whether you need further tests or what treatment you need

• to check how well treatment is working

• as part of your follow up after treatment

Preparation for a CT scan

Some CT scans need special preparation beforehand. You should follow the information given by your healthcare team or in your appointment letter, as some hospitals may have slightly different instructions.

For most scans, you have a drink or an injection of contrast medium or both. This is a dye that shows up body tissues more clearly on the scan.

You may be asked to stop eating and drinking for 2 to 4 hours before your scan if you have a contrast medium. Your scan team will tell you exactly how long you need to do this for. Let them know if not eating is a problem for you.

You have the injection through a small thin tube called a cannula into your arm. The cannula stays in place until after your scan. This is in case you have any problems, such as an allergic reaction after having the injection.

You should take your regular medication unless you are told otherwise.

It is important that you call the scanning staff before your scan if you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant. 

You might have blood tests before your CT scan. This is to make sure your kidneys are working well. There is a small risk that the contrast medium can affect your kidneys.

CT scans of the tummy (abdomen)

If you are having a CT scan of your abdomen, you might need to:

• drink a liquid contrast medium some time before the scan

• drink more of the liquid contrast or water in the x-ray department

• stop eating or drinking a few hours before your scan

You usually have the contrast medium by injection and also as a drink. This helps to show up the digestive system  more clearly in the scan.

CT scans of the chest

You may need to stop eating and drinking beforehand. You might have an injection of the contrast medium during the scan. This is to help show up the tissues close to the area containing cancer. For example, if your doctor wants to know if the cancer is affecting your blood vessels. It may help to show whether cancer can be removed with surgery or not.

Pelvic CT scans

The pelvis is the lower cavity of the body in the area between the hip bones. It contains the pelvic organs, including the bladder, lower bowel and reproductive organs. If you are having a CT scan of the pelvis, you might need to:

• stop eating or drinking for some time before the scan

• have an injection of contrast medium

Occasionally, for a rectal scan, you might have an enema of contrast medium. This helps the outline of the bowel show up more on the scan. Your radiographer will give you more information about this. 

CT scans of the head

For some brain scans, you might have an injection of the contrast medium dye. This is to make the scan clearer.

CT colonography

You might have a very detailed scan of the bowel called a CT colonography or virtual colonoscopy. 

For this test you need an empty bowel. You'll have strong laxatives and follow a special diet about 2 days before the test. You might also have a special liquid to drink called gastrorgrafin. It's a type of dye but also acts like a laxative. Your doctor or nurse will tell you more about this. 

What happens?

When you arrive you fill out a checklist or questionnaire with the radiographer. They also explain what to expect during the CT scan. They ask you questions about your medical history and any allergies. It's a good time to ask any questions you may have.

Once you're happy to proceed they usually give you a hospital gown to change into. 

Before the scan you remove any jewellery and other metal objects, bra, hair clips around the area being scanned. Metal interferes with the images produced by the scanner.

When it’s time to start, your radiographer takes you into the scanning room.

In the scanning room

A CT scanning machine is large and shaped like a doughnut.

You might have an injection of contrast medium through the cannula. You may:

• feel hot and flushed for a minute or two
• have a metallic taste in your mouth
• feel sick
• feel like you’re passing urine but you aren’t – this feeling is common and passes quickly

Tell your radiographer if you feel anxious or claustrophobic about having a scan. 

Having the CT scan

You usually lie down on the machine couch on your back. Once you’re in the right position, your radiographer leaves the room. They can see you on a TV screen or through a window from the control room. You can talk to each other through an intercom.

The couch slowly slides backwards and forwards through the hole of the scanner. The machine takes pictures as you move through it. 

The scan is painless, but it can be uncomfortable because you have to stay still. Tell your radiographer if you’re getting stiff and need to move.

During the scan

You’ll hear a whirring noise from the scanner.

Your radiographer might ask you to hold your breath at times.

The scan usually lasts between 5 and 20 minutes. This depends on what part of the body is being scanned. But you are often in the department for longer.

When the scan is over, your radiographer comes back into the room and lowers the couch so you can get up.

This short video shows what happens when you have a CT scan. It is less than two and a half minutes long. You can watch this video in Urdu or Polish at the bottom of this page.

After your CT scan

You stay in the department for about 15 to 30 minutes if you had an injection of the dye. This is in case it makes you feel unwell, which is rare.

Your radiographer removes the cannula from your arm before you go home.

You should be able to go home, back to work or the ward soon afterwards. You can eat and drink normally.  

Possible risks

A CT scan is a safe test for most people but like all medical tests it has some possible risks. Your doctor and radiographer make sure the benefits of having the test outweigh these risks.

Some of the possible risks include:

An allergic reaction

Rarely, people have an allergic reaction to the contrast medium. This most often starts with weakness, sweating and difficulty breathing. Your radiographer will ask if you have any allergies before you have the contrast medium. Tell them immediately if you feel unwell after having it.

Bruising and swelling

You might get a small bruise around the area where they put the needle in for the cannula.

There's a risk that the contrast medium will leak outside the vein. This can cause swelling and pain in your hand or arm but it’s rare.

Kidney problems

There is a small risk that the contrast medium can affect your kidneys. Your radiographer checks your most recent blood test results before your scan. This is to make sure your kidneys are working well. You may be able to have the scan without contrast medium if you have kidney problems.

Pregnancy

Pregnant women should only have CT scans in emergencies. Contact the department as soon as you can before the scan if you are pregnant or think that you might be.

Radiation

Exposure to radiation during a CT scan can slightly increase your risk of developing cancer in the future. Talk to your doctor if this worries you.

Getting your results

You should get your CT scan results within 1 or 2 weeks.

Ask your doctor, radiographer or nurse how long it will take to get them. Contact the doctor who arranged the test if you haven’t heard anything after a couple of weeks.

Waiting for test results can be a worrying time. You might have contact details for a specialist nurse. You can get in touch with them for information and support if you need to. It may help to talk to a close friend or relative about how you feel.

CT scan video in Polish and Urdu

We have made the following translated videos with Thames Valley Cancer Alliance.

Polish

This video shows how you have a CT scan. It is around 2 and a half minutes long.

Urdu

This video showing how you have a CT scan is 3 minutes long.

More information

We have more information on tests, treatment and support if you have been diagnosed with cancer.