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Your Child's CT Scan
This is an x-ray that uses a scanner to produce a series of pictures
of a part of your body. Each picture can be compared to viewing single
slices of a loaf of bread.
WHY?
The purpose is to look at the bones, blood vessels, and organs of your
body.
TIME
The scan itself takes approximately 10 to 30 minutes. Should your child
require medication to lay still for the pictures, the test could take
up to four (4) hours. The medication your child may receive will be given
by mouth or through a needle.
OTHER
- On arrival to Children's Hospital, you must register at Admitting.
- Please be on time for your appointment or call 685-8296 if you cannot
keep your appointment.
- If your child develops a cough/cold or an infectious disease, call
the doctor who ordered the C.T.Scan.
INSTRUCTIONS
Can your child have breakfast the morning of the scan?
for children:
less than one year:
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2-5 years:
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over 5 years:
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A clear fluid breakfast
(apple juice, jello, water, popsicle) is okay as long as the fluid
is taken 2-3 hours before the test.
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Last feed must be 4 hours
before the test is done.
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Last feed must be six hours
before the test is done.
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Arrive at the hospital 1-2 hours prior to the scheduled time of the test.
This is done to allow your child to be seen by the nursing staff in the
Paediatric Ambulatory Care Unit in order for medication to be ordered
if necessary. This time also helps the nursing staff to prepare your child
for the test.
C.T. OF THE HEAD
- Your child will wear a hospital gown for the pictures.
- Your child may require sedation which will be given by a nurse or
doctor.
- An intravenous may be required.
C.T. OF THE ABDOMEN
- Your child will wear a hospital gown for the pictures.
- Your child may be asked to drink a liquid which must fill the bowel
before the scan can be started.
- This liquid helps to show any problems in or around the bowel. (Not
all abdominal scans require this drink.)
- Your child will be positioned on the C.T. table by the x-ray technologist.
The table will be moved into the large doughnut-shaped scanner.
- If your child is awake, he may be asked to hold his breath for a
few seconds.
- Your child will feel and hear the table moving after each scan.
- Your child is to relax and lie still.
- It may be necessary for the doctor to inject a colourless dye into
a vein in your child's arm to highlight the blood vessels. This injection
may give your child a warm feeling, that will last a few seconds.
- Your child will be asked to stay on the table after the test has
been completed while the radiologist looks at the pictures.
AFTER THE SCAN
- Your child will be watched by the nursing staff in Paediatric Ambulatory
Care Unit.
- Once your child is awake, assessed, and is able to drink, he can be
discharged.
DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:
Your child may still be sleepy when discharged. In the
rare event that he or she becomes unresponsive or has breathing problems,
come to the Emergency Department immediately.
The radiologist will send the C.T. report to your doctor.
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