What Happens During a CT Lung Scan? 

I hope everything went well.

I hope also everything went well.

Hope your scan went well!

Hi @readingchapterbooks881, thank you for your question. Lungs can be seen without IV contrast, as can the nodule. However, without IV contrast, all anatomy will have a generalized shade of grey and may hide abnormalities. If the nodule is greater than 1cm, it’s recommended that we use IV contrast to see if the nodule enhances (has blood supply). Without contrast, larger nodules can appear benign, but may not be. The thymus gland is also something that would benefit from contrast. I hope this helps. You can email us at patientservices@radiology.ca if you have further questions. Thank you.

Hi @comprehensive_offical, thank you for your question and I apologize for the late reply. If you don't need contrast, there is no consent form. If you do need contrast, we can email you the form at the time of booking. You will need to ask the booking agent to sent it to you. I hope this helps.

Hi @generic_official, the breath hold is less than 10 sec so all we ask is that you try your best. The technologist will work with you to make sure you're comfortable.

Hi @ljtravels3861, with a routine lung scan, with IV, we have never seen it happen if that helps ease your concerns. There is a 'warm feeling' described by patients when they receive it, but no one has thrown up. Hope this helps!

Hi @harbinderk5837, no, you don't have to keep your eyes closed.

Thank You 😊

I had chest CT today,The claustrophobia is unbearable.I almost screamed and shouted...

Hi @VSS32542, no, it would not be a problem to perform this exam if the patient smokes. Please let me know if you have any more questions.

@mayfairdiagnostics7927 thank you for your response a little late but the MRI went well.

Hi @katherinegosnell8256, thank you for your question. Diabetic patients or those on medications can have CT scans, even if we require the use of IV contrast. If this doesn't answer your question, please email us at patientservices@radiology.ca and we can speak about this in more detail.

Hi @sarahmccoy1941, radiation dose is strictly dependent on the patient's body habitus, and the exam we're performing. If a person was having a CT chest, abdomen and pelvis, an average person would expect to receive approx 3-4 mSv which is quite close to the amount of radiation someone living in Calgary at our altitude receives every year. Lower elevation - less radiation. Higher elevation - more radiation. The CT dye is an iodine based solution which shows up as white on the scan - enhancing the arteries/veins/ organs. Radiation is NOT good for anyone - however, it's our understanding that in one's lifetime, the risk of getting cancer is approx 20%. After a CT scan (eg. chest, abdomen, pelvis) the risk of getting cancer would now be approx 20.1%. Depending on what the referring doctor is looking for (eg cancer) the risks from radiation far outweigh the risk of missing disease. We also have dose reduction software that we use for all of our scans. Some exams (virtual colon) allow us to use a higher dose reduction than other exams where we may need higher detail. Ultimately - if there is any concern about radiation - please speak to your doctor and perhaps there's another Diagnostic Imaging exam type you can have done instead. Hope this helps! Have a wonderful day.

Hi @chickencairontamiyaapolina4633, the breath hold is less than 10 sec so it really shouldn't be an issue. If they can't hold their breath - there will likely be some motion on the images - which could blur the anatomy - and any pathology, making the report less than accurate.

Hi @kimatencio6935, nothing will happen - unless of course we're specifically scanning the throat and esophagus - in which case there will be motion on the scan. I hope this helps with your question. Please let me know if you have any more. Have a good day!

Hi @harbinderk5837 - No, the average dose for a CT chest is usually 3mSv or less (the lung screen is much much less) - you would need a dose as high as 1000-5000 mSv to produce localized hair loss. I hope this helps with your inquiry! Have a good day.