XRA Medical Imaging is an accredited facility from the American College of Radiology to perform CAT & CT Scan services in Rhode Island. Find information regarding our CAT Scan service below, and our office locations where a CAT Scan can be performed.
A
CAT Scan or CT Scan (
computed tomography) scan is composed of an x-ray tube and detector that rapidly rotate in tandem around a patient, acquiring information about tissue density of the patient. The acquired information is then processed by a computer that then generates medical images of the patient's internal anatomy.
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The CAT scanner is used for taking pictures of
virtually any part of the body. The scanner
is particularly good at testing for bleeding in
the brain, aneurysms, brain tumors and brain
damage. It can also find tumors and abscesses throughout the body and is used to assess
types of lung disease.
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The scanner looks like a large doughnut.
During the scan the patient lies on a bed,
with the body part under examination
placed in the round tunnel or opening of
the scanner. The bed then moves slowly
backwards and forwards to allow the scanner
to take pictures of the body, although it does not touch the patient. Sometimes a contrast
dye is injected into the veins during the test.
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On arriving at the CAT scanner, the technologist will ask several questions regarding any significant medical history. You will then lie on the scan table, feet or head first towards the donut shaped scanner depending on the part of your anatomy to be scanned. If you are to receive contrast, the technologist will start an IV in your arm prior to beginning the scan.
The table will then slowly enter the scanner and your examination will begin. The technologist will instruct you not to move and perhaps to hold your breath during parts of the examination. It is important to follow these directions as the quality of your examination is reduced if there is motion. Like photography, if a subject is moving, the picture becomes blurry. If the technician sees motion on a scan, they will likely repeat that part of the study, adding to the length of the examination.
Most studies take between 15 and 30 minutes. If you receive IV contrast, you will likely experience some normal warmth in your arm and possibly some mild flushing during the injection. Like most medications, adverse reactions do occasionally occur from the injection but are rare, typically resulting in some mild itchiness. Should you experience any side effects please inform the technologist
At XRA Medical Imaging we use only non-ionic contrast, which is more costly but significantly decreases the likelihood of an adverse reaction. When scheduling your exam, if IV contrast is required, our screeners will ask several questions regarding any significant medical history such as prior contrast reactions, strong allergies, cardiac, or renal disease and determine whether scanning at an outpatient facility is appropriate or whether the study should be performed in a hospital setting.
To help make your appointment with us as convenient as possible, patients are encouraged to download, print and complete the
CAT Scan Form and
Contrast Screening Form prior to visiting our office.
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If you are having a CAT scan of your abdomen or pelvis, you will be given a Barium solution to drink prior to your scan. This is very important as it allows the Radiologist interpreting your scan to discern your intestines from possible pathology.
To help make your appointment with us as convenient as possible, patients are encouraged to download, print and complete the
CAT Scan Form and
Contrast Screening Form prior to visiting our office.
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The IV injection of contrast helps the Radiologist interpreting your study significantly in several ways, predominantly in accentuating vascular structures and enhancing visualization of abdominal organs. It allows distinction of normal structures from abnormalities that may be more or less vascular. When scheduling your exam, if IV contrast is required, our screeners will ask several questions regarding any significant medical history such as prior contrast reactions, strong allergies, cardiac, or renal disease and determine whether scanning at an outpatient facility is appropriate or whether the study should be performed in a hospital setting.
To help make your appointment with us as convenient as possible, patients are encouraged to download, print and complete the
CAT Scan Form and
Contrast Screening Form prior to visiting our office.
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Due to the rapid scan time of our advanced Helical CAT scanners, claustrophobia is rarely an issue even for our most sensitive patients. At XRA Medical Imaging, our technologists are very sensitive to the needs of our patients and are trained to do all that is reasonable to make you as comfortable as possible. At all times during the scan you are within view and will be able to verbally communicate with the technologist. Only that part of your body that is to be imaged requires entering the scanner.
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What is a CAT Scan?
