CT Scan
Cone Health offers computerized tomography (CT) scans as a way to have more detailed forms of X-ray images. Unlike a standard X-ray, a CT scan combines X-ray images at different angles, resulting in cross-sectional images of the bones, blood vessels and tissues in your body.
A provider might refer a patient for a CT scan to diagnose conditions including:
- Damage to bones
- Injuries to internal organs
- Stroke
- Blood flow issues
- Cancer
A CT scan may be given with or without contrast, which is a dye administered by IV to add more visibility to the patient’s body. Certain conditions, including active bleeding and kidney stones, do not require contrast.
Things to Consider Before Your CT Scan
Unlike an MRI, a CT scan does not take place in a tube. Instead, a donut-like device will be moved along a table the patient is lying on.
For most CT scans, you can remain in your own clothing during the scan. You will, however, need to remove any metal from the area being imaged.
If you will be receiving a contrast CT, do not eat an hour before your scan.
If you are receiving a contrast CT, note that you may get a warm, flush feeling and a metallic taste in your mouth right when the dye is administered. This feeling usually goes away within a minute. The contrast itself will naturally leave your body when you urinate following your CT scan.
Most CT scans take less than five minutes.
Contact Information
If you have questions or would like more information about CT scans at Cone Health, please contact us at (336) 832-8559 (Moses Cone) or (336) 832-1874 (Wesley Long).
