GENERAL INFORMATION

LUNG CANCER SCREENING

CARDIAC SCORING

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The purpose of a CT scan is to:

• Provide detailed images for detecting disease.
• Useful in monitoring your progress during or after treatment.
• Determine if a growth is solid or fluid-filled, and if an organ's size and shape are normal.

A technologist will position you on the examination table. You will then be moved into the doughnut-shaped scanner. As the equipment scans you will hear the whirring sound of the machinery.

After the exam the radiologist will provide your physician with an interpretation of the results of your CT scan. Your physician can then make a diagnosis and explain the findings.

Patient Preparation
Sometimes a liquid called contrast medium is necessary to highlight certain structures. This is given to you either in the form of a drink, through an IV or both. If contrast is needed for your exam, you will be asked to avoid foods and fluids for up to four hours prior to your scan. Be sure to tell your physician if you have any allergies, especially to iodine. Loose, comfortable clothing is recommended. You may even be asked to change into a gown. Jewelry, hairpins, and eyeglasses must be removed if you are having a scan of your head.

Specific Exam Preparation
Oral contrast is given for the following exams. It is a barium sulfate drink called Readi-cat. Please refrigerate and shake well before using.

CT Scan of abdomen:

• Do not eat or drink four hours prior to your exam.
• Drink one bottle of Readi-cat two hours prior to your exam.
• When you arrive in the CT department, you will receive an additional cup of Readi-cat to drink.

CT Scan of abdomen and pelvis:

• Do not eat or drink four hours prior to your exam.
• Drink one bottle of Readi-cat three hours prior to your exam.
• Drink the second bottle an hour and a half later.
• When you arrive in the CT department, you will receive an additional cup of Readi-cat to drink

FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS

Q: What are Uterine Fibroids?
A: Fibroids are benign tumors that develop in the muscular wall of the uterus. Fibroids range in size and may be located in various parts of the uterus. Women with fibroids do not always have symptoms, but depending on their size and location, they can cause pain and heavy bleeding.

Q: Who is most likely to have Uterine Fibroids?
A: Uterine fibroids are very common though they don’t always cause problems. 20-40% of women over 35 will develop fibroids of a significant size and African-American women are at a higher risk than the rest of the population.

Q: How are Uterine Fibroids diagnosed?
A: Fibroids are usually diagnosed during a gynecologic internal examination. The presence of fibroids is most often confirmed by an abdominal ultrasound. Fibroids can also be confirmed using magnetic resonance (MR) and computed tomography (CT) imaging techniques.

Q: How can Interventional Radiologists treat Uterine Fibroids?
A: Interventional Radiologists can perform two minimally invasive procedures to remove uterine fibroids. These procedures can often can replace the need for major surgeries such as hysterectomy. These are Uterine Fibroid Embolization and Magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound (MRGFU).

Q: What is Uterine Fibroid Embolization?
A: This approach to the treatment of fibroids blocks the arteries that supply blood to the fibroids causing them to shrink. It is a minimally-invasive procedure, which means it requires only a tiny nick in the skin, and is performed by an interventional radiologist while the patient is conscious but sedated — drowsy and feeling no pain. Advantages over surgery include no incision and a shorter recovery time.

Q: What is Magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound?
A:Magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound (MRGFU) is a non-invasive outpatient, procedure that uses high intensity focused ultrasound waves to ablate (destroy) the fibroid tissue. An interventional radiologist uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to see inside the body to deliver the treatment directly to the fibroid. This procedure, approved by the Food and Drug Administration in October 2004, is a newer treatment option for women with fibroids.

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