CT Scan, was it done right?

P_RN, ADN, RN · Jun 24, 2005

Did your doctor explain what would be done? Sometimes they just leave it to the office worker to use a preprinted form and send it to the CT shop.

I had a CT done last week. I had to swallow and take contrast IV. They were looking for liver problems but the report concentrated on my pelvis area. Think my liver has slipped that much??????

All the other non invasive scans have been MRIs head4x UBOs (unidentified bright objects),cervical spine 2x, C5 maybe causing Lhermittes. I've had my optic nerves done, and my internal carotids Turning my head quickly makes for a teeny weeny stroke like episode.

When you talk with your doctor explain what you saw done and what you actually had done.

lucky4timesover · Jun 24, 2005

The doctor who ordered it was the ER doctor. The urgent care doctor said he wouldn't even see me with those symtoms, I had to go to the hospital. When I go to my PCP then I do want to ask him more questions and talk to him about maybe having more tests done. This is not normal and I would like to know what is causing it. I am a pretty healthy person. I have really good blood pressure and have never had any other problems, but I do have a family hx of stroke and anuerysm (hope I spelled that right). I don't want to worry for no reason, but it just seems like there has to be something for this to happen. Thank you for responding and thank you in advance to anyone else who answers:) .

Sunny

suzanne4, RN · Jun 24, 2005

Not all CT scans are done with contrast. Contrast is used when looking at vessels, but then an MRA is actually better for those.

The symptoms that you are describing can be more associated with tumor, so that is why the doctor sent you immediately for a CT scan, and without contrast. And before doing any other exam. Now that the CT was negative they can begin looking at other factors.

Hope that this helps...............

RN_Jen · Jun 24, 2005

Hi everyone, I would just like an opinion please. I have a dr appt for July 7th(new patient so I have to wait) because I am getting sharp pains in my head that are accompanied with dizziness and sometimes fuzzy vision. I also get numbness that starts in my hand and radiates upward. I went to the urgent care clinic yesterday because it happened 4 times since the morning. The doctor didn't even see me after seeing my chart he sent me straight to the hospital for a CAT scan. I had to go through the emergency room. The doctor ordered a CT scan and when he got the results he said I had no tumor and he could see no other problems. I was just wondering, I had been told in class that you were supposed to use contrast when looking at blood vessels. I will be addressing this with my PCP on my visit. I guess I am just wondering what might could be causing this. I was so elated when the doctor told me he didn't see anything, but now I am wondering if it is because the CT wasn't done correctly. Thank you all.:)
Sunny

It sounds a lot like migraine symptoms.

lucky4timesover · Jun 24, 2005

Thank you both for your responses. I really appreciate them. I am just a student so I have no real experience with these symptoms or tests, only what I have learned so far. Have a great weekend to everyone.:)

Sunny

begalli · Jun 24, 2005

lucky - do you have any allergies? Your kidneys are healthy, right? I wonder if they didn't use contrast because of either of these?

My intention is not to alarm you rather I'm speaking from experience with people with your symptoms. I think that a head CT with contrast was warranted in your case. I've had head CT's with contrast to rule out other stuff when diagnosing migraines.

Be sure to question your doc about this. How could they tell what's happening in the vasculature without the contrast? The CT without contrast gives you the basic structure only.

Please someone correct me if I'm wrong.

mommatrauma, RN · Jun 25, 2005

Working in an ER, I can tell you that 99% of our patients get non-contrast head CTs if a head CT is indicated...usu if they are looking for: Intracranial hemorrhage, early infarction, dementia, structural abnormalities. We may do a contrast CT if they are looking for a mass, lesion, AVM, or metasteses. However if the case is they are looking for the latter, they will do a with and without CT scan to rule out the obvious stuff first, which on a non-contrast they would even still be able to pick up a lesion, ie mass effect, but may need to do a contrast CT to further define what exactly they are looking at. Even at that point, they may consider doing an MRI instead...So the fact that they did a non-contrast CT of your head is not unreasonable at all. If they saw nothing on your CT and they are still concerned about a brain issue, they may consider an MRI because it is more sensitive than a CT for most things...Doing a CT of the head with contrast can actually mask an intracerebral Hemorrhage, and if they are looking for things like toxoplasmosis causing encephalitis, then a contrast CT is indicated because there may be several nodular ring-enhancing like lesions that may be missed on a non-contrast study. It all depends on what they are looking for is what it really comes down to. Regardless, if you are still concerned, speak to your PCP and see if it can be explained better or decided another course of testing be taken. Good luck, hope you feel better.