Low Dose CT
General
Cardiac
Oncology
Dual Energy
What is CT and how does it work
A CT scan is like a super-powered X-ray machine. Imagine you’re lying inside a big donut. This donut takes many X-ray pictures of your body from different angles while spinning around you. Then, a computer puts all these pictures together to show a clear image of what’s inside your body, like looking at the layers of a cake. This helps doctors see inside you without any surgery, so they can figure out if everything is okay or if they need to help you in any way.
Our CT is industry-leading technology, acquiring images in as little as 0.33 seconds, and using exceptionally low radiation doses which for some examinations may be lower than a comparative X-ray.
What are the risks involved with CT
- When you get a CT scan, you're exposed to a tiny bit of radiation, just like the kind you get from the sun or when you go on an airplane ride. Think of it like this: If you went on a long flight, like from Sydney to London, the amount of radiation you'd get from that flight is kinda like getting a CT scan. Even though it's a bit more radiation than just sitting in your backyard, doctors make sure it's safe and only use it when really needed to get a clear picture of what's going on inside your body.
- Please advise our staff if you are pregnant or think you might be.The small dose of radiation from a CT scan has not been shown to cause harm to unborn babies. However CT is only used with caution in pregnancy when the clinical benefit significantly outweighs any small theoretical risk.
- When you get a CT scan, sometimes doctors use a special dye called “contrast.” It’s like a highlighter for the pictures, making certain areas inside you light up so they can see better. Some people might feel a bit warm or taste something funny when it’s given, but it usually goes away quickly. It’s pretty rare, but a few people might have an allergic reaction, kind of like how some people are allergic to peanuts. That’s why doctors always ask questions before giving it to make sure you’re safe. Just like they wouldn’t give peanuts to someone who’s allergic, they’re very careful with contrast too!
CT Services
Our aim is to provide high quality medical imaging with empathy to the local community by ensuring highly trained and caring staff are available every step of the way.
Whilst an appointment is not always essential, we highly recommend pre-booking an appointment so that we do not keep you waiting. Some procedures take up to 30 minutes and it is essential to have an appointment for such procedures, eg. chest, brain & or abdomen.
CT Scans services
- Abdomen, Pelvis & Pulmonary Angiogram
- Brain
- Chest
- Facial bones & or Sinuses
- Neck
- Injections Spinal or joints (CSI)
- Renal/Kub
- Spine
- Upper or Lower extremities
- Leg lengths
More Information about CT
A CT scan, CAT scan or computed tomography scan, is a medical imaging procedure that uses computer-processed combinations of many X-ray measurements taken from different angles to produce cross-sectional images of specific areas of a scanned object, allowing the user to see inside the object without cutting.
Please see CT preparation
Before the start of the CT scan, you lie down on a table, possibly in a specific position. The technician may use pillows to ensure that you stay in the correct position to get a quality image. Our qualified technician moves the table via a remote. The CT machine looks like a giant doughnut made of plastic and metal. You will most likely go through the machine several times. You may also have to hold your breath during brief individual scans, which last only 10 to 20 seconds. If a CT scan requires the use of a contrast dye, that is generally given intravenously at the time of the scan. An all-over warm sensation or taste of metal in the mouth can occur and only last a few moments. Severe allergic reactions to contrast are rare and would be managed by on-site Doctor and/ or Radiographer staff. If a contrast CT scan is required this will be explained to you and a consent form will be completed prior.
