Before the exam, contrast dye, if needed, is usually injected into a vein in your hand or arm.Ī CT scan normally takes between 10 and 30 minutes. Some patients are given a mild sedative before the test to help them relax. If you're anxious about being strapped down or confined in a small space, tell your doctor or the technician. In some cases, you may be asked not to eat or drink for several hours before the exam. How Is It Done? If your abdominal area is to be scanned, your doctor may prescribe laxatives, enemas or suppositories or a temporary change in diet before the scan to cleanse the bowel. The noninvasive test is also used to monitor a tumor's response to therapy or detect a return of cancer after treatment. A CT scan of the chest or abdomen can help detect an enlarged lymph node or cancers in the liver, pancreas, lungs, bones and spleen. #Pathological lymph node series#CT scans are different than standard x-rays because they create a series of pictures taken from different angles and produce much clearer images. Two images are usually taken, one from the back of the chest and another from the side.Ī computed tomography (CT) scan shows a cross-section of the body using multiple images. You must hold your breath for a few seconds while the technician takes the x-ray he or she will explain in detail what you need to do. A technician positions you in front of the x-ray machine. How Is It Done? You'll be asked to wear a gown during the procedure and remove all jewelry. It can also show evidence of enlarged lymph nodes or signs of internal injury. An x-ray that shows an abnormal fluid collection can be a sign of infection, such as pneumonia or tuberculosis, or a tumor. Doctors use chest x-rays to detect signs of disease, including infection or tumors. Chest X-raysĪ chest x-ray produces images of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs and diaphragm. Let them know if you are or might be pregnant, because many imaging tests use small amounts of radiation. Your doctor will give you specific pretest instructions. If you've had a reaction to contrast dye or iodine in the past, tell your doctor or the technician. This means that before your test, the technician injects a contrast dye into one of your veins or a port or asks you to drink a liquid containing the dye. Your doctor may order an imaging test "with contrast," which makes it easier to see certain organs and tissues in the body. Imaging tests are generally used to detect signs of disease or to check whether cancer (tumors or masses of cells) has spread to areas such as the lymph nodes, chest or lungs. Imaging or radiology tests pass different forms of energy (x-rays, sound waves, radioactive particles or magnetic fields) through your body, creating pictures of the chest, abdomen, head, neck and other parts of the body.
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