CT scan

Your health expert: Dr Amy Agahi, Radiology Registrar and Clinical Fellow at Bupa
Content editor review by Rachael Mayfield-Blake, May 2021
Next review due May 2024

A computerised tomography (CT) scan is a way to create detailed images of the inside of your body. It works by taking X-rays, which a computer processes to produce images. A CT scan can diagnose and monitor various health conditions.

A diagram showing a man having a CT scan

About CT scans

A CT scanner is a large, ring-shaped machine with a hole in its centre. You lie on a table that moves through the middle of the machine. An X-ray tube inside the ring creates a beam of X-rays. As you lie flat on the table, the X-ray tube rotates around your body. The X-rays pass through your body and are picked up by detectors on the opposite side. These signals are then collected by a computer and built up into the detailed images of part of your body.

CT scans are usually taken across your body (called the axial plane). This is why a CT scan is sometimes referred to as a CAT scan (computed axial tomography scan). Most scanners today take the images continuously, like a spiral, in just a few seconds. Some CT scanners can also create 3D images. Other CT scans take the images one at a time, stopping after each scan and gradually moving down your body.

Different parts of your body (such as bones and muscles) show up differently in the images from the CT scan. Bones will be white, whereas muscles may appear in different shades of grey. Sometimes the grey shades are very similar, which can make it difficult to tell different areas apart. A dye, called a contrast medium, can make the images clearer. You may have this by injection, as a liquid that you drink, or as an enema (inserted into your bottom).

A radiographer – a health professional trained in performing CT and other scans – will operate the CT scanner. You usually have a CT scan as an out-patient in a hospital department. This means you have the scan and go home the same day.

Uses of a CT scan

Doctors often prefer CT scans to standard X-rays, because they give clearer, more detailed images. They can be used to detect or monitor many health conditions including:

strokes
broken bones or other problems that affect your bones
cancers
infection, inflammation and other damage inside your body
conditions that affect your heart and blood vessels – this is called a CT angiography
digestive problems that affect your stomach and intestines – a CT scan of your large bowel is called a virtual colonoscopy
problems that affect your kidneys, urinary system or bladder – this is called a CT pyelography or CT urography

Doctors may also use CT scans when planning surgery, or to guide them during procedures, such as biopsies.

Preparation for a CT scan

Before your appointment

Depending on the type of scan you’re having, your hospital may ask you not to eat or drink anything for several hours beforehand. If you’re having a CT scan of your large bowel, they may give you instructions on how to empty your bowel too. This might include taking laxatives or following a special diet for a couple of days. It’s important to follow any instructions your hospital gives you before your scan.

At the hospital

Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothes to your CT scan. Your radiographer may ask you to change into a hospital gown. This will depend on which part of your body is being scanned. Your radiographer may also ask you to remove any jewellery, glasses, contact lenses, dentures, hair clips and hearing aids. Metal can affect the images created by the scanner.

Your radiographer will discuss with you what will happen before, during and after a CT scan. If you’re unsure about anything, don’t be afraid to ask. It’s important that you understand everything before you go ahead with the scan. You should let your radiographer know if there’s a chance you might be pregnant.

Having contrast medium

Your radiographer will check whether you have any medical conditions, such as allergies, diabetes or kidney disease. These could affect how you react to the contrast medium. If you have any problems with your kidneys, you may need to have some blood tests before your scan. Your radiographer may ask you to drink some water before your scan.

If you’re having a CT scan of your tummy (abdomen), your hospital will ask you to drink the contrast medium some time before your scan. You may need to drink some water before your scan. You might be asked to come into hospital a couple of hours before your scan to do this.

CT scan procedure

Your radiographer will ask you to lie on the CT scanner table, usually flat on your back. They may use straps and give you a pillow to help you stay in position and keep still.

If you’re having contrast medium, your radiographer will inject this through a small tube (cannula) into your arm. It may make you feel warm for a minute or two, and it can cause a metallic taste in your mouth. You may also feel like you need to pee but this wears off quickly.

Your radiographer will control the positioning of the table, and will move it into the right place to start the scan. The table will then move through the machine as your radiographer takes the scan. The CT scan itself usually takes only a few minutes. It’s important to lie very still and you may need to hold your breath for a bit. You may hear some whirring noises from the CT scanner when you’re inside it.

Your radiographer will operate the scanner from a control room behind a window but they’ll be able to see, hear and speak to you throughout. A CT scan isn’t painful, but you might feel a bit uncomfortable from having to stay still for a few minutes. If you’re particularly anxious or nervous, your radiographer may offer you a medicine to help you relax during the scan.

Aftercare for CT scan

Once the scan is finished, the CT scanner table will move back out of the scanner ring. Your radiographer will come back into the room and lower the table so you can get down. If you’ve had an intravenous (IV) contrast, they’ll remove the cannula from your arm. You’ll need to stay in the radiology department for 15 to 30 minutes if you’ve had IV contrast, to make sure you don’t have any side-effects. Otherwise, you’ll be able to go home as soon as you feel ready.

Before you go home, ask your radiographer when you can expect to get your results. It can take a week or two for them to come through.

A radiologist (a doctor who specialises in using imaging methods to diagnose medical conditions) will review your results. They’ll usually send a report to the doctor who referred you for the CT scan.

Complications of CT scan

As with every test, CT scans have some risks. But the benefits of having a CT scan usually outweigh these risks. Your radiographer will explain these to you.

Radiation

A CT scan, like any radiology test, exposes you to some radiation. Radiation can be harmful to your body if you have a high enough dose. The amount of radiation you get from a CT scan is more than that from other types of X-ray imaging, such as a plain X-ray. Your doctor and radiographer will take measures to keep your exposure to a minimum. They’ll only recommend a CT scan when the benefit outweighs the risk. In some circumstances, they may recommend an alternative test.

If you're pregnant, there’s a risk the radiation could harm your baby. How big a risk there is can depend on how many weeks pregnant you are, and the area of your body being scanned. Your doctor may still suggest you have a CT scan if it’s an emergency or they think the benefits would outweigh any potential risks.

Contrast medium

Your radiographer will use a dye (contrast medium) for some CT scans. If you’ve had the contrast medium by injection (intravenously), you may have some discomfort as you have the injection. It can also make you feel or be sick (vomit).

Although very rare, it’s possible to have an allergic reaction to the contrast medium. If you get an itchy rash or have any difficulty breathing, tell your radiographer straightaway. Radiology departments are well set up to deal with these reactions. You may be at greater risk of an allergic reaction if you have asthma.

If you have kidney disease or diabetes, the contrast can make your kidney condition worse. Your doctor will ask you about any health conditions you have before the scan, so that they can take measures to reduce your risk.

Alternatives to CT scan

A CT scan tends to give more complete pictures of your organs and tissues than an ultrasound or X-ray. It’s also quicker than a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and you can have one even if you have an implanted medical device. But in some circumstances, an X-ray, ultrasound or MRI may be a better option. This depends on your own individual circumstances, as well as the reason why you’re having the scan. Other types of scan are often preferred for babies and or people who are pregnant.

CT scans can detect or monitor a number of health conditions ranging from strokes and broken bones, to cancer and problems with your digestive system. Doctors may also use CT scans before surgery to gather information, or to guide them during procedures such as biopsies.

See our Uses of a CT scan section for more information.

No, you won’t get your CT scan results straightaway. A specialist doctor will review the results and send a report to the doctor who referred you for a CT scan. This can take a week or two.

No, a CT scan isn’t painful although you may feel a bit uncomfortable staying still while the scan is happening.

See our CT scan procedure section for more information.

The CT scan usually takes only a few minutes, but you may need to stay around for a little longer after the scan. For example, if your radiographer gave you a contrast medium, you’ll need to wait to check you haven’t had any reaction to it.

See our Aftercare for CT scan section for more information.

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