Preparation needed for a CT scan with contrast medium (dye):
- Because this centre has inpatient wards and inpatients' requests take priority, and because of imaging-related tasks such as preparing the medication and inserting an IV line, allow about two hours for your visit to the department.
- If you have had a contrast (dye) X-ray or a CT scan with contrast injection in the past 10 days, tell the staff.
- Bring your previous medical records, such as CT scans, ultrasounds and test results, so that a more accurate report can be given.
- For outpatients who are unwell, be sure to coordinate with the staff of the relevant unit before the patient comes to the department.
- The contrast medium injected for the requested scan is passed out in the urine and poses no risk to those around you.
- Although the chance of a reaction after contrast injection is small, to be safe your medical history – such as kidney function, any history of allergy and the medicines you take (such as metformin) – must be reviewed by a doctor before the procedure. For this reason, you must bring the results of a urea and creatinine test done no more than one week before the scan.
- Do not eat anything for 8 hours before the scan, and come to the department fasting.
Items required
- Contrast medium prescribed by the doctor
- Pink IV cannula (angiocath): 1
- Extension tube: 1
- Normal saline infusion: 1
- Large bottle of mineral water (if oral contrast is prescribed)
Head of the Radiology Department: Dr Najmeh Mohammadpanah