:: CT Exam
Regents Imaging in Oceanside has superior scanning capability with the Siemens 64-slice CT scanner. CT exams are completed quickly with advanced imaging techniques. The outpatient centers have the latest technology available in a patient-friendly setting.
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The radiologists of North County Radiology are trained experts in Musculoskeletal Imaging. Whether you are a weekend warrior or a trained professional athlete, MSK imaging is a valuable tool. With professional expertise and cutting-edge technology this specialized imaging allows for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning of injuries.
Our 64-slice CT scanner utilizes the advanced Care Dose System to optimize images while reducing x-ray exposure. This provides automatic, real-time x-ray dose management for all scan modes. The minimal x-ray dose level needed to obtain optimal image quality is determined from extensive computer analysis of the topogram image and also from the data collected during every slice scanned, on a real time basis. This automatic approach ensures optimal image quality at the lowest possible x-ray dose. CARE Dose 4D uses at first an automated adjustment of the dose level depending on patient size based on the attenuation values obtained from the standard topogram along the patient axis.
Clinical benefits include:
- Significant x-ray dose reduction (up to 66%) possible for all body regions scanned compared with standard sequence or spiral scanning.
- Consistent, optimal image quality with the x-ray dose level unique for every patient
What is a CT or CAT scan?
A CT or CAT scan is a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of x-rays and computer technology to produce cross-sectional images (often called "slices") of the body. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, blood vessels and organs.
In computed tomography, the x-ray beam moves in a circle around the body. This allows many different views of the same organ or structure, and provides much greater detail. The x-ray information is sent to a computer that interprets the x-ray data and displays it in 2-dimensional form on a monitor. In some cases, the data is sent to a special computer that produces 3D pictures.
CT scans may be done with or without contrast. "Contrast" refers to a substance taken by mouth or injected into an intravenous (IV) line that causes the particular organ or tissue under study to be seen more clearly. Contrast examinations require special preparation.
CT scans may be performed to help diagnose tumors, evaluate blood vessels, determine calcium "scores" of the coronary arteries or check for other internal disease, injuries or damage.
The X-Ray beam travels through the body and to the detector array providing detailed information from all angles.
Preparation for the Test
Most CT examinations do not usually require any special patient preparations. However, in some body regions a detailed display is possible only with the help of a contrast medium. The contrast medium is administered immediately prior to the examination and is usually well tolerated by the patient. This medium contains iodine, which might cause an allergic reaction in some patients. You should therefore consult Regents Imaging about possible existing allergies prior to the examination.
For these procedures the following guidelines apply
• Patients over the age of 50 or those having known risk factors will require kidney function tests. Please consult with your physician to ensure that a recent blood test has been completed prior to your examination.
• If you are a diabetic and taking Glucophage®, Glucophage XR®, Glucovance® (Metformin), you will need to refrain from taking that medication on the day of the exam and for 48 hours following the exam.
• For dialysis patients, the CT scan may need to be scheduled on the same day as your dialysis treatment.
• You should not eat or drink anything 4 hours prior to your examination. If your examination includes the Abdomen or Pelvis (for purposes other than evaluating blood vessels), you should also plan to arrive one hour prior to your appointment, you may need to drink a liquid contrast.
And lastly, in order for us to provide your doctor with accurate and timely results, we request your assistance in obtaining previous radiology examinations pertaining to your current condition. You may need to sign a release authorizing other institutions to release results or films to us for comparison
Please tell the staff if you:
- Might be pregnant, trying to get pregnant or are breast-feeding.
- Are allergic to iodine or seafood.
- Are on dialysis or have known kidney disease.
- Are diabetic.
- Have had a problem with this exam (or other contrast exams) in the past
Following the CT examination, the radiologist analyzes the exposures and sends a report to your family doctor, who then discusses the examination results with you during your next appointment.
Note: If you have had recent exams to diagnose this same or a similar problem at another facility, it would be helpful for the radiologist to see those exams. If available, please bring prior studies with you.
You Can Take Care Today
For Your Better Health Tomorrow
Early evaluation of risks can provide intervention before it’s too late – undoubtedly
the best way to preserve your health.
After all, health is our greatest asset – even though we all too seldom realize
this important fact. If you would like to assess the health status of your heart/
lungs/colon etc., you now have the possibility of undergoing a Computed
Tomography (CT) examination, if your doctor feels it warranted.
Early Diagnosis with
Ultra Modern Computed Tomography
A CT scan for the early visualization of various diseases is an uncomplicated and
painless type of medical evaluation, which depending on the anatomical region
being examined, takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes to perform. Also, the
radiation dose required for this examination is kept as low as possible using ultra
modern CT technology.
If you are interested in undergoing a CT examination for early diagnosis, please
contact your family physician. He will provide you with a recommendation based
on your personal medical case history and answer any questions you may
have about CT.
Risk of lung cancer
Throughout the world, lung cancer is the most
commonly occurring form of cancer. Since the
symptoms of this disease usually first appear in its
advanced stages, the chances of recovery in such
cases are often quite poor.
However, if lung nodules can be diagnosed early
enough before they have a chance to spread, it
may be possible to treat this disease at this early
stage when it is the least resistant to treatment which
may increase the chances of a successful recovery.
CT Medical Examination
for Early Visualization of Lung Nodules
Who is a high-risk person?
You belong to a high-risk group if any of the
following factors apply to you:
• You have smoked for more than 10 years
• You are hereditarily at risk
• You are professionally at risk
• You are over 60 years old
If one or more of the above points apply to you,
contact your physician to find out if a CT scan
might be appropriate for you.
How is the examination performed?
A CT scan is acquired with a low radiation dose in
just 15 seconds. If the result is negative, clinically
significant lung lesions/nodules can be excluded
with very high probability. If positive, further
measures appropriate for the severity of the
disorder are required.
CT Medical Examination
of Patients at Risk of Suffering a Heart Attack
Risk of a heart attack
Heart attacks are currently the most common cause
of death in the USA and Europe. Some 175,000 deaths
attributable to this disorder occur each year in
Germany alone. Of these 25% occur among persons
who are less than 70 years old – and 40% without
prior symptoms.
If you would like to know if you are at risk for heart
disease, ask your family doctor about undergoing a
Cardiac CT examination. Such an examination can
not only tell you more about the calcium load in your
coronary arteries, a known predictor of the risk for a
heart attack, but also can indicate the presence or
absence of lesions called “plaques“ which may cause
narrowing of these arteries, reducing blood supply
to the heart muscle which may lead to a heart attack.
Only early diagnosis can ensure timely measures to
reduce the risk factors and follow-up treatment if
necessary to help prevent the onset of heart disease.
Who is a high-risk person?
You belong to a high-risk group if any of the following
factors apply to you:
• You have a high cholesterol level
• You have high triglyceride values
• You smoke
• You have high blood pressure
• You are hereditarily at risk
• You have diabetes
• Any of the factors in combination with
a sedentary lifestyle
If one or more of the above points apply to you,
contact your physician to find out more about CT
for early diagnosis of heart disease.
What examination methods are available?
Calcium Scoring
The examination can be performed in approximately
15 seconds. The radiation dose is as low as possible– comparable to only one third of the natural radiation
received from our atmosphere. A positive coronary
calcium score result serves as a good indicator of the
risk for certain types of heart attack. A negative
calcium score result is a good indicator that coronary
vessels are intact.
CT-Angiography of the coronary vessels
This detailed examination is performed by injecting
a contrast medium (to enhance the display of the
patient’s anatomical cavities and vessels) in a brachial
vein. ECG electrodes are positioned on the patient’s
chest in order to synchronize the scanner exactly to
his/her heart rate. This makes it possible to acquire a
complete 3D scan of the heart – a “virtual trip through
the heart” – without a catheter. And this examination
takes only 20 seconds. The precise results of this
examination provide the doctor with information
about the condition of the patient’s coronary vessels.
Who is a high-risk person?
You belong to a high-risk group if any of the following
factors apply to you:
• Presence of polyps
• You indulge in a high fat and/or high meat diet
• You are hereditarily at risk
• Ulcerative colitis
If one or more of the above points apply to you,
contact your physician to find out if a CT scan is
appropriate for you for Early Disease Diagnosis.
Risk of intestinal cancer
Intestinal cancer currently ranks as the second most
common form of lethal carcinomas. The main risk of
developing intestinal cancer results from polyps
located in the large intestine, which may eventually
grow to become malignant tumors.
This primarily affects patients over 50 years of age.
If the polyps are identified in time and removed while
in a benign state, we may be able to prevent the
development of a cancerous form. The “gold standard”
to visualize colon polyps is a colonoscopic examination – usually uncomfortable or even painful for the
patient involved.
By comparison, a CT examination is much less
complicated and relatively painless for visualizing
clinically significant colon polyps.
CT Examination
for Early Visualization of Bowel Polyps
How is the examination performed?
Patient preparation is required so that the intestine
is as empty as possible. The actual examination or
scan takes approximately 25 seconds and is performed
using a special technique to reduce the radiation
dose. The images on the monitor look like a threedimensional
flight through the patient’s intestine.
Numerous studies have shown that clinically
significant polyps can be identified using this
examination method.
If the result is negative, the doctor may not advise
any additional follow-up. If positive, the polyps –
depending on their size – may have to be removed.
Smaller polyps are generally placed under further
observation and removed only in case they continue
to grow.
Computed Tomography:
Non-Invasive Diagnostic Method
for Early Disease Diagnosis
Computed Tomography is a radiological technique
used to visually display specific anatomical regions
of the human body slice-by-slice. A technology
which in recent years has been refined to a now
indispensable, gentle and non-invasive method
of examining the human body.
Use of contrast media
Most CT examinations do not usually require any
special patient preparations. However, in some body
regions a detailed display is possible only with the
help of a contrast medium.
The contrast medium is administered immediately
prior to the examination and is usually well tolerated
by the patient. This medium contains iodine, which
might cause an allergic reaction in some patients.
You should therefore consult your physician about
possible existing allergies prior to the examination.
During a CT medical scan, you will be lying on a
comfortable couch as it slowly moves through an
opening in the examination unit, commonly referred
to as the “gantry”. All you have to do is follow the
instructions given by the medical personnel in charge.
For example, you may be instructed to briefly hold
your breath or not to move certain regions of your
body.
What happens while a CT scan is performed?
During the examination, the X-ray beam system
rotates 360 degrees around your body while scanning
detailed transverse slices of the previously defined
body regions. Based on the data gained, the computer
will then generate the final diagnostic quality images.
A word about radiation exposure
As with conventional X-ray examinations, you hardly
notice the acquisition of CT images at all. One main
objective of modern CT technology is to achieve“minimum radiation exposure levels together with
extremely fast examination times”. To support this
aim, all Siemens CT scanners feature a package of
technical measures (CARE Dose) designed to reduce
the radiation dose.
Following the CT examination, the radiologist analyzes
the exposures and sends his report to your family
doctor, who then discusses the examination results
with you during your next appointment.
Note: If you have had recent exams to diagnose this same or a similar problem at another facility, it would be helpful for the radiologist to see those exams. If available, please bring prior studies with you.
Full Body Scan
Early detection is the key to good health |
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Who is at risk?
The Full-Body Screen is a CT exam of the heart, lungs,
abdomen and pelvis. This comprehensive exam provides
information about the status of the primary organs throughout the
body. The test does not evaluate how the organs function, but it
does assess for signs of disease or cancer. Identification of
potential problems allows for intervention of the disease process
at an early stage. It is well known that prevention and early
detection are essential to maintain good health. Primary risk
factors include: family history, cigarette smoking and diabetes.
Other factors are: high blood pressure, carotid or other artery
disease, high cholesterol, heart disease, poor diet, obesity and
physical inactivity. If you have personal or family history of one or
more of the risk factors, consider the Full Body screening exam.
The Full Body Exam
The Full Body screening includes evaluation of the heart and
lungs. If you would like to know if you are at risk for heart disease
consider undergoing a CT Cardiac Scoring. Such an examination
will tell you about the calcium load in your coronary arteries, a
known predictor of the risk for a heart attack, and can indicate the
presence or absence of lesions called “plaques” which may cause
narrowing of these arteries, reducing blood supply to the heart
muscle which may lead to a heart attack. Only early diagnosis can
ensure timely measures to reduce the risk factors and follow-up
treatment if necessary to help prevent the onset of heart disease.
Throughout the world, lung cancer is the most commonly
occurring form of cancer. Since the symptoms of this disease
usually first appear in its advanced stages, the chances of
recovery in such cases are often quite poor. However, if lung
nodules can be diagnosed early enough before they have a
chance to spread; it may be possible to treat this disease at an
early stage when it is the least resistant to treatment which may
increase the chances of a successful recovery. CT Medical
Examination for Early Visualization of Lung Nodules is the key to
discovering these tiny nodules.
The abdomen and pelvis portions of the exam assess the
primary organs for tumors/masses and other signs of cancer or
disease. The liver is the body’s largest vital organ. Its’ job is to
detoxify the body from harmful substances and collect nutrients.
Liver disease results in failure to filter and remove the harmful
substances and the body becomes toxic. Some diseases are
inherited; others are the consequence of frequent ingestion of
toxic substances, such as alcohol or corticosteroids. Other risk
factors include obesity and diabetes. The major function of the
spleen is to remove abnormal blood cells and create components
of the immune system. The spleen is evaluated for signs of
enlargement. Liver disease, glandular fever and some cancers
can cause the spleen to enlarge which causes it to become
overactive and destroy too many blood cells. This enlargement
and excessive destruction of blood cells results in anemia and
puts the spleen at risk for rupture. The abdominal aorta is
assessed for aneurysm. An aneurysm occurs when a blood
vessel becomes weak and enlarges, putting it at risk for rupture.
High blood pressure, smoking, family history and atherosclerosis
are the primary risk factors for abdominal aortic disease. The
kidney, bladder, pancreas and gall bladder are also evaluated
with the abdominal screening. The colon is viewed in greater
detail with a separate examination that requires pre-exam
preparation (virtual colonography).
To prepare for this screening
In order to better visualize the organs we ask for you to do a
minor preparation for this exam. You will need to come to the
center at least one day prior to the test to pick up 2 bottles of
barium, a liquid contrast material. You will eat dinner and drink
one bottle of the contrast. Please do not eat any food for the
remainder of the night. We ask that you skip breakfast and drink
the second bottle of contrast before you come to the center. Most
people prefer to schedule their test in the morning so they can
resume eating earlier in the day.
Your results
The radiologist will review the images with you after your
exam is complete. The images will be transferred to a CD-ROM
and mailed to you along with a detailed report within a few days
after your exam.
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