Having a CT scan at the EIF QMRI

"When you arrive at reception, you will be greeted by our receptionist & your appointment & name will be confirmed. You will be taken to our main reception area by the receptionist & asked to wait. You may be asked to complete some paperwork.

When we are ready for you, the radiographer will take you through to the CT scanning department. This is a ‘controlled area’ which can only be accessed by authorised staff.

You may be taken to a changing room & asked to change into a gown. This is to make sure that nothing metal will show up on the scan.

Once you are changed, you will be taken into a ‘prep room’ where your blood pressure may be taken & you will have a cannula inserted into a vein. This is so that a ‘contrast agent’ can be injected during the scan. You will be taken into the scan room & asked to lie on the scanner table. The radiographer will make you comfortable. Depending on what you are having scanned, you may have some ‘electrodes’ placed on your chest at this point to take a trace of your heart. If you are having a contrast injection during the scan, you will be connected to a device which will give you the contrast injection during the scan. You will be asked to enter the scanner head first or feet first, depending on the type of scan you are having. The radiographer will ‘line everything up’ using a laser light. Once this is done, you are gently moved into the scanner, ready to start the scan.

The scan can take up to 20 minutes. You may be asked to hold your breath for a short period during the scan.

Once the scan is finished, you will be taken out of the scanner and if you have a gown on, asked to get changed. If you have had any medication or a contrast agent injection, you will be asked to remain in the department for 10 minutes or so & your blood pressure will be checked.

Once you are ready, you will be escorted from the department."

• What is a CT scan?

• FAQs on having a CT scan

• My scan is at the EIF QMRI

• Watch our video about where to find the EIF QMRI
• Watch our video explaining what will happen at your MR scan at the EIF QMRI
• Watch our video explaining what will happen at your PET-MR scan at the EIF QMRI
• Watch our video explaining what will happen at your PET-CT scan at the EIF QMRI
• Watch our video explaining what will happen at your retinal imaging exam at the EIF QMRI

• Please link to the short url for the Having a CT scan at the EIF QMRI webpage:
  • www.ed.ac.uk/edinburgh-imaging/having-a-ct-scan