What is a CT scan?
A CT scan (computed tomography scan) is a special type of x-ray. It takes 3D pictures of the inside of your body from different angles.
What happens before the scan?
You’ll be asked if your child has any health conditions such as:
- asthma
- allergies
- kidney disease
- blood disease (for example, sickle cell disease)
- past reactions to contrast dye
- chance of pregnancy (for people between the ages of 11 and 55)
How is the scan done?
Your child will go into the CT room and lie on the bed where the pictures will be taken. The bed will move into the CT scanner, which is like a big doughnut-shaped camera.
For a CT scan of the belly area or pelvis, your child will drink a contrast dye that’s mixed in juice, ginger ale, or water. Your child will get this drink at least 1 hour before the scan. Your child may use the toilet if they need to.
Sometimes, the scan uses contrast dye that is given by injection to help show certain parts of the body more clearly. If your child needs injected contrast dye, they will get it through an I.V. (intravenous, a small needle placed in a vein). To make this more comfortable for your child, they will have numbing cream on their skin about 30 minutes before the I.V. is started.
You can bring a comfort item for your child (like a blanket or stuffed toy) or a tablet to help distract them during the scan. Ask the technologist if it's OK for you to stay with your child during the scan.
How long does it take?
The whole appointment can take between 15 minutes to 1 hour. But the time spent taking pictures lasts only a few minutes, depending on type of CT scan.
What if my child can’t lie still?
There are tools—such as seatbelts to keep your child safely on the bed and straps for them to hold—to help your child stay still if it's hard for them.
If your child can't stay still, they may get medicine to make them feel sleepy or fall asleep, either sedation or general anesthetic.
What if my child needs sedation?
Your child will be assessed to see if they need sedation or a general anesthetic for the scan. Your doctor will check your child's medical history and do a physical (body) exam before the CT scan to make sure these medicines are safe for your child.
A nurse will give you instructions if your child is having sedation or a general anesthetic.
If your child has sedation or a general anesthetic, they may have to stay for a few hours after the scan, while the medicine wears off.
Your child will be watched closely during the test and until they are ready to go home.
Does the sedation have side effects?
Most children don’t have any side effects from sedation. Some side effects can include:
- having an allergic reaction
- feeling restless
- breathing slower from being too relaxed
Does the contrast dye have side effects?
The contrast dye can cause your child to feel warmth in their body for a few seconds. This warmth can make your child feel like they have to pee.
Other side effects from contrast dye may include nausea or vomiting and a metal taste in the mouth.
There is also a small chance of an allergic reaction like hives or swelling. If this happens, a healthcare provider will check your child and give them the treatment they need.
What happens after the scan?
If your child had an I.V., have them to drink plenty of fluids to help flush the contrast dye out of their body.
If your child didn't have sedation or a general anesthetic, they can do their normal activities after the scan.
If your child had sedation, they will be watched closely after the scan. Before you leave, the nurse will give you written instructions for your child's care.
Your family doctor will get the results of the scan in about 1 week. Call your doctor to talk about the results.
