What Happens During a CT Lung Scan?

[@taylorclarkjohnson]

I’m getting a CT scan tomorrow morning (my first ever) to check on a strange feeling in my upper chest… this video helped me have an idea of what to expect. Thank you… and fingers crossed for positive results! 🤞🏻🙏🏻

[@americagreen-l6y]

Did everything come out okay?

[@angeljoel10able]

Hopefully everything goes well 🙏

[@meanlene4823]

Thank you. Just turned 72 on June 1st. I'm getting my first cat scan tomorrow at 9. I'm a little worried. I just quit smoking on February 2nd. I started at 17 years old. Saying a prayer. 😢

[@tcyva4845]

I hope everything went well.

[@S36542]

I hope also everything went well.

[@DanielleB253]

Hope your scan went well!

[@SometimesMyself]

Update?

[@61Neveragain]

How was it

[@S36542]

Thank you this explanation is great. Very detailed 👌 😊

[@caitlingetrajdman9810]

I just got my first cat scan today and it took about 10 minutes for everything.

[@autumntres3321]

The video is great, thank you!

[@ateci0]

My question is how is that photo take in the thumbnail

[@readingchapterbooks881]

I am super claustrophobic. i am having a cat scan of my thymus gland in my chest area. I need to know if the images would show my lungs clearly as well if it's a non contrast cat scan. i have had a nodule in my lung for 10 years. so it's something that would be eventually ordered. i would like to use the same images for 2 different doctors( one that wants to see my thymus gland and other other that wants to see my lungs) that way i don't have to sit through another ct scan.

[@MayfairDiagnosticsOfficial]

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 [e-mail] if you have further questions. Thank you.

[@shawnsellers831]

​@@MayfairDiagnosticsOfficialI was supposed to do CT scan on my abdomen and pelvis area 3 days ago with contrast.but I rejected It because I was really afraid the contrast will effect my lungs while having trouble breathing going on 4 months.also afraid contrast will make my breathing even more worse .I mean should I give it a try see how it goes ? . I also found out there oral contrast to drink but the process takes more longer then contrast in IV which is much quicker.

[@MayfairDiagnosticsOfficial]

@@shawnsellers831 Hi, it shouldn't - however, people can have allergies to the contrast if they've never had it before - albeit these are quite rare. Also, people with underlying breathing issues (asthma, COPD, etc) can also have a reaction that could cause breathing issues. However, with that said, for someone without known allergies or current breathing problems, it would be quite rare for something like this to happen. Also - typically, abdominal CT scans will require both oral and IV contrast - not one or the other. Depending on what type of abdominal scan they're having - they may not need either. It entirely depends on what their doctor is looking for. Hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any more questions. Have a wonderful day!

[@comprehensive_official]

Are we expected to sign an informed consent form prior to the scan? If yes, can we obtain form(s) in advance through mail, email, or download?

[@MayfairDiagnosticsOfficial]

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.

[@generic_official]

What if you have an intermittent cough, or if you cough *because* you’re holding your breath?

[@MayfairDiagnosticsOfficial]

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.

[@johnemanuele8695]

I've has annual ct lung scans for years monitoring a small lung nodular..and abd ct scans with and without contrast..the contrast is different..it does feel warm and you feel like you will pee or poop..lol..but You won't

[@suryagupta5933]

No sideeffects of Radition?

[@harbinderk5837]

During the actual scan do you have to keep your eyes closed? I opened my eyes a couple of times during CT THORAX AND ABDOMEN because I am claustrophobic. Could I have damaged my eyes?

[@MayfairDiagnosticsOfficial]

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

[@harbinderk5837]

Thank You 😊

[@baelastie2634]

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

[@S36542]

If the patient smokes is that a problem for this MRI to be done?

[@MayfairDiagnosticsOfficial]

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.

[@S36542]

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

[@alisonbeveridge4001]

I wasn’t told not to eat or drink before mine

[@ArunKumar-ff5gy]

I feel puffing in the next day while walking after the chest ct, is it normal... Pls help

[@Slowrabbit12345]

I had tuberculosis(MDR) completed treatment of 9 months. I was diagnosed through X-Ray Found infection in my right lung. My Doctor stop my medicine without any test. Should i go for X-RAY or Ct-scan to know the results of my lung condition, how much it healed???? Suggestions please🙏🙏🙏

[@NEAdventures]

What is the risk of throwing up? I have a phobia and I’m worried the contrast will make me sick

[@MayfairDiagnosticsOfficial]

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!

[@Yettoachieve]

Kindly tell i had ct neck and thorax plain and with Iv contrast and also oral contrast .I am 19 year old girl weighing 65 kg.How much will be the radiation dose??

[@juanitatutt6677]

Hello everyone i'm due for a CT lung screen, but i have a ICD for my heart will it affect it?

[@katherinegosnell8256]

What happens if you are diabetic and on plavix ? Is that a blood thinner?

[@MayfairDiagnosticsOfficial]

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 [e-mail] and we can speak about this in more detail.

[@michaelarsenault4337]

It says take off shirt. But he changed unto blue pants also.

[@MayfairDiagnosticsOfficial]

Hi @michaelarsenault4337, so it's really about comfortability, and it depends on what people are wearing. Buttons may show up - scrub tops with no buttons aren't an issue. If someone comes in a t-shirt, or golf shirt - or something without buttons - they don't need to change.

[@suryagupta5933]

Can we need to remove baniyan for Hrct chest scan?

[@kimatencio6935]

What will happen if you swallow during CT SCAN contrast?

[@MayfairDiagnosticsOfficial]

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!

[@sarahmccoy1941]

Little, if anything, is said about radiation exposure from a CT scan and what exactly is in the contrast dye solution? How long will that dye substance remain in a person’s system? As I understand it, CTs use ionizing radiation, which is not good for a person’s DNA. Lots of radiation exposure?

[@MayfairDiagnosticsOfficial]

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.

[@chickencairontamiyaapolina4633]

What if the patient can't hold breath for few seconds?

[@MayfairDiagnosticsOfficial]

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.

[@harbinderk5837]

Can you have hair loss with this CT scan?

[@MayfairDiagnosticsOfficial]

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.