At the WRI, we have highly skilled physicians who specialize in CT Scans.

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What is CT?
Computed Tomography also known as CT and CAT scanning uses special x-ray equipment to obtain image data from different angles of the body. CT is a fast, and patient friendly exam. A CT has the unique ability to image a combination of soft tissue, bone, and blood vessels.

This painless diagnostic procedure uses x-rays (ionizing radiation) and computers to obtain detailed cross-sectional images (also known as slices) of the tissues and organs of the body. A CT scan allows the radiologist to see the location, nature, and extent of many different diseases or abnormalities inside your body.

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A CT scan is one of the best exams for studying the lungs and abdomen. CT is an invaluable tool in the cancer diagnosis process and is often the preferred method for diagnosing lung, liver and pancreas cancer. CT imaging is finding a greater role in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of heart disease, acute stroke and vascular diseases, which can lead to stroke, gangrene or kidney failure. Common uses of the CT are the study of the chest, abdomen, pelvis, brain and spine. Additionally, CT can be used to measure bone mineral density for the detection of osteoporosis.

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What will my CT experience be like?

You will be asked to lie still on a table for approximately 10-15 minutes and follow any breathing instructions that are appropriate to your exam. The tabletop will move you through a gantry (shaped like a big doughnut), which houses the x-ray tube and a set of detectors. Detectors, which pick up the x-rays that pass through your body, acquire images. You will be alone in the room as the scan is being performed but the technologist will be able to see and hear you at all times from directly outside of the room.

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Depending on the type of CT exam, you may be asked to drink a contrast agent or to receive IV contrast. Oral contrast agents are used for abdominal and pelvic CT exams to aid in the visualization of the stomach and intestines. If your exam requires IV contrast, a small catheter will be placed in a vein in your arm. During the administration of contrast, you may experience a warm sensation throughout your body and/or a metallic taste in your mouth. Not everyone experiences these feelings and any sensation you experience will go away within a few minutes of the injection.