CT Scan

Service Overview

What is a CT?

Computed Tomography (CT), sometimes called “CAT scanning,” uses special x-ray equipment to obtain image data from different angles around the body, and then uses computer processing of the information to show a cross-section of body tissues and organs.

Low Dose Scans:

Our GE Revolution™ Maxima

The AI-based Auto Positioning* Xtream camera uses real-time depth sensing technology to generate a 3D model of the patient’s body. Using a deep learning algorithm to align with the isocenter, this equipment is designed to maximize clinical performance for intelligent superior imaging! And our GE Revolution™ Maxima allows us to lower patient radiating dose to our patients by 82%

What to Expect:

The technologist or technologist’s aide has you change into clothes appropriate for your particular exam. That individual asks you questions about medical history pertinent to the exam being done that day. You will be asked to lie down and depending on the type of exam you may be given a pillow for your head and under your legs.

The CT scanner is shaped like a ring or doughnut and the part of your body being looked at passes back and forth through the ring. The CT scanner is programmed to give breathing instructions in 24 different languages.

Some exams require the use of IV contrast. The contrast highlights blood vessels and gives greater definition to the organs being evaluated. IV contrast is injected into your bloodstream and produces a warm flush sensation that last roughly 30 seconds.

Abdominal scans require you to also drink oral contrast followed by water. The oral contrast distends the stomach and intestines allowing our radiologist a better look at inside those organs.

While inside CT scanner, the CT technologist is able to hear you and talk to you over a microphone/speaker.

Our CT technologists are here to help. Feel free to ask any question or concern you may have.

Lung Cancer Screening Program in conjunction with Community Medical Centers

Smoking continues to be the leading cause of lung cancer deaths in men and women.  Screening and early detection for lung cancer can drastically improve lung cancer survival rates by finding and treating the disease at an early stage.  Smokers and past smokers, who are within the ages of 55-77 years old, may be eligible for the preventative screening program.

The Lung Cancer Screening Program works directly with the Community Cancer Institute and the Lung Nodule Program to provide holistic care to each patient.

Once enrolled in this program, a low-dose chest CT scan is performed at Advanced Medical Imaging annually to ensure your lungs are monitored on a regular basis.  This continual care is the key to cancer prevention and keeping you healthy.  A lung screening nurse coordinator will be in direct contact with you and your physician to make sure the screening process is easy and stress-free.

Contact Community Medical Centers’ Lung Cancer Screening Program  If you are smokers or past smoker, who are within the ages of 55-77 years old, you may be eligible for this preventative screening program. Call  to schedule your screening and reduce your risk of lung cancer:  (559) 224-LUNG (5864), option 2

Did you know you can contact a scheduler online?

Skip the wait and we will call you.

Contact us

Preparation

How to Prepare for Your CT Exam

Our Medical Screening Department will contact you prior to your exam to conduct an interview. You may also reach them at 559.447.4000. When you call ask to speak with the Medical Screening Department.

Preparations will vary depending on the kind of exam you are having performed.

If you have a known allergy to intravenous iodinated contrast, you may be required to take a pre-medication regiment. To determine if you will need a special prep, please call 559.447.4000 and ask to speak with the Medical Screening Department.

For any exam requiring IV contrast, please do not eat or drink anything four(4) hours prior to your exam.

 

1. CT Abdomen or Pelvis

  • Please do not eat or drink anything beyond the necessary preparatory items listed below (i.e. no coffee, tea, or food) four (4) hours prior to your exam.
  • Drink one (1) bottle of CT contrast fluid one (1) hour prior to your exam.
    • You have the option of arriving one hour prior to your appointment to drink the contrast fluid, or you can visit AMI the day prior to your exam to pick up the contrast fluid.
  • Drink 16 ounces of water again 30 minutes prior to your exam.
  • The technologist at AMI will provide you additional water to drink immediately prior to your exam.

 

2. CT Arthrogram 

  •  Please do not eat or drink anything four (4) hours prior to your exam.
  • You may be asked to withhold certain medications (5) days prior to your exam.
  • Blood work may be required prior to your exam.
  • The screening department and nurses will contact you to go over these details.

Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Metal objects can affect the scan, so avoid clothing with zippers, snaps, and metal around the drawstrings. You may also be asked to remove hairpins, jewelry, eyeglasses, hearing aids, and removable dental work depending on the area we are scanning. Women should always inform their doctor and the CT technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant.

Pre-Screening

Click the links below to download and print your Pre-Screening form(s).

CT Screening (PDF)
CT Screening(Word)

CT Screening_Spanish(PDF)
CT Screening_Spanish(Word)