CT (Computed Tomography) in EOC

Imaging method that employs ionizing radiation to obtain, with immediacy, images of the brain, head-neck region, and spine.

Useful information

CT scanning uses ionizing radiation (X-rays) to pass through the human body and then reconstruct, with the help of a computer, the various tissues of which it is composed. The equipment used in EOC makes use of multidetector technologies, including dual radiogen/energy sources, to quickly obtain very high spatial resolution images and limit the amount of ionizing radiation. This method is used particularly for the evaluation of vessels, skull bones and spine, especially in emergency scenarios, due to the speed of execution.

How it is carried out

The patient is made to sit on a couch that slides in the center of a ring, which produces the X-rays needed to create the images in a matter of seconds. In order to perform the examination, it is sometimes necessary to administer intravenously a liquid containing iodine, called iodinated contrast medium, to enable the recognition of organ abnormalities; these patients are asked to havetheir serum creatinine tested, by venous blood sampling, which must have been performed no more than a month before the CT examination.

Patient information

Prior to the examination, the patient should notify the attending physician and the EOC Neuroradiology Service staff of the presence of any conditions (e.g., known pregnancy status, renal problems, and/or previous adverse reactions to iodinated contrast medium) and metformin intake for which momentary discontinuation may be necessary before the examination.

The English version of this page was created with the aid of automatic translation tools and may contain errors and omissions.
The original version is the page in Italian.