Overview
This scan lets doctors see inside your body by taking x-ray images from many angles. These are combined to show clear cross-section slices of parts of your body. A CT scan shows much more than a typical x-ray. It can show cancer and other problems.
Preparation
The Scan
To begin your scan, you lie on a table that slides into the CT scanner. The scanner is shaped like a ring. When it starts, you hear buzzing, clicking and whirring noises. The table slowly moves through the scanner. You must stay perfectly still so the machine can get a clear view. A scan usually takes about half an hour. If you move during the scan, the images will be blurry and it may need to be redone. A technician in a room next to you will watch you and the images as they are taken. The technician will talk to you through a speaker to let you know what is happening during your scan.
