Computerised Tomography (CT)

CT Scanning combines the use of x-rays and computers to generate 3-Dimensional images of the internal organs, bone, soft tissue and blood vessels. It helps diagnose various cancers and also helps detection, diagnosis and treatment of vascular diseases that may lead to stroke, kidney failure or death.

Safety Information

CT scans expose patients to radiation - if you have any concerns about the radiation, please consult your doctor/radiologist. Women should inform their doctors of any possibility of being pregnant before a scan is carried out.

Metal objects including jewellery, eyeglasses, dentures and hairpins may affect the CT images and should be removed prior to your exam. You may also be asked to remove hearing aids and removable dental work. Patients in many cases may have to have an injection of contrast agents.

Also inform your doctor of any recent illnesses or other medical conditions, and if you have a history of heart disease, asthma, diabetes, kidney disease or thyroid problems. Any of these conditions may increase the risk of an unusual adverse effect from the contrast agents.

The scanner:
We have a 16 slice scanner in operation at the moment. Extra sessions are also provided onsite from a mobile scanner owned by a private healthcare provider. A new scanner will be installed and be operational in 2010.

Examinations offered:

• CT Head, neck, sinuses, temporal bones.mastoids
• CT Chest (volume and high resolution imaging)
• CT Abdomen and pelvis
• CT Bone and joints including spine.

Various specialized investigations like CT angiograms (to study the blood vessels and circulation), CT Intravenous Urograms (to study the kidneys and renal systems) are also being offered. CT can be performed for patients under general anaesthetic too.

Cardiac CT & CT colonography

Next year we hope to provide advanced noninvasive CT cardiac imaging and CT colonography (to study the large bowel) will be offered. These investigations will take healthcare to the next level and will help in reducing invasive tests like cardiac catheterization, barium enemas etc.

Sites providing CT scanning:

• Dorchester Radiology department

Timings:
9am to 7pm
Out of hours services are provided for emergency patients being referred from the wards and casualty.

Appointments:
Please call 01305 254428 for enquiries and to change appointments. Routine appointments are usually provided in 2 weeks time from the date of receipt of request from the clinicians.

Results:
We will not be able to provide immediate results to the patients as the images will have to reconstructed and reviewed by the radiologists prior to formulating a report which is then sent on to the clinicians.You are requested to contact your referring clinician for the results in 10 days time unless you have been given any other specific instructions.

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