Computed Tomography (CT Or CAT Scan)
For questions or to schedule an appointment, you or your physician can call 203.276.2602 or fax the order to 203.276.4590. Please note: A referral is required.
What To Know About CT Scans
Computed tomography (CT or CAT scan) is a safe and painless exam that uses a special X-ray tube to produce a series of computerized images of your body that do not appear on traditional X-rays. Our board-certified radiologists depend on this imaging service to locate or identify diseases or injuries within your body, such as tumors, embolisms, or complex bone fractures.
- Stamford Health offers advanced CT technology to produce thin-slice imaging, which covers a large area of the body in a single breath-hold, thereby reducing radiation exposure to the patient. This system also produces superb image quality for improved cardiovascular, neurological, and lung imaging.
- We offer CT scans at several of our locations so that you’re able to schedule your exam when it’s convenient for you. Our CT units are accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR) in adult and pediatric CT scan imaging.
- For information about your results, please access your Patient Portal or call the Health Information Management Department at 203.276.7455. Or, fill out the medical record request form, bring your photo ID, and visit the center where your exam was held.
What Is A CT Scan?
A CT scan depends on X-ray technology, however instead of generating the images on film, it produces computerized images. These can be viewed individually or stacked together to create a 3D image of the area of the body.
What To Know About Your CT Scan
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WHAT TO EXPECT
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PREPARING FOR YOUR EXAM
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SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What To Expect
During your CT exam, you will lie very still on a table that slides into the circular opening of the machine. You will hear humming noises as the X-ray tube rotates around your body and takes pictures.
- CT scans sometimes require the use of contrast media, either intravenously and/or by mouth, to enhance blood vessels and organs and highlight the area being imaged. If the contrast material is administered intravenously, an IV is inserted into an arm vein, and you can expect to feel a warm, flushing sensation that lasts a couple minutes. If you are asked to drink contrast, you may pick up the contrast in advance from one of our facilities, or you can arrive one to two hours ahead of your scheduled appointment time to drink the contrast.
- For additional information regarding your arrival time, please contact the scheduling department at 203.276.2602.
- Prior to your arrival, please remove all metal objects or jewelry.
- A CT exam can take anywhere between 10 and 30 minutes, depending on the area of the body being scanned.
Preparing For Your Exam
- Intravenous (IV) Contrast: If your doctor has ordered your CT scan with IV contrast, you should not eat or drink (except water which is encouraged) two hours prior to your appointment. Take your prescribed medications as directed by your health care provider. Please note that laboratory work must be obtained for the following patients prior to their appointment: history of diabetes, renal insufficiency, or age 60 or older. If you have not had lab work within the last 45 days and are not scheduled to have lab work, please contact your physician prior to your appointment.
- Oral Contrast: If your doctor has ordered your CT scan with oral contrast only, you may eat, drink, and take your prescribed medications prior to your appointment. Once you arrive to the Radiology Department, you will be administered an oral contrast to drink for one to two hours prior to your examination.
- Without Contrast: If your doctor has ordered your CT scan without any contrast, you may eat, drink, and take your prescribed medications.
- Depending on the type of CT scan exam that your physician has ordered, you may be asked to change into a hospital gown or remove jewelry or dentures prior to your exam.
Special Considerations
Please note some patients may have conditions that warrant a conversation with their doctor before a scan.
- Diabetics: For diabetic patients receiving IV contrast, it is advised that you eat a small meal no less than two hours prior to the appointment. All prescribed diabetes medications can be taken prior to your appointment. If you have a glucose monitor in the area that will be imaged, it will need to be removed prior to exam.
- Pregnancy: If you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant, please discuss with your ordering physician prior to your scheduled appointment.
- Allergies: A small percentage of the patient population may be allergic to contrast material. If you have a history of several severe allergies, a prior reaction to CT contrast, or a history of an allergy to iodine, please consult with your physician prior to your appointment.
Will insurance cover a CT scan?
Please discuss with your physician, as all insurances work differently. Some insurance companies require prior authorization.
How can you schedule this exam?
Once you have the required referral from your physician, you or your physician can call 203.276.2602.
To save time, please complete our CT questionnaire:
- CT Questionnaire (English)
- CT Questionnaire (Haitian Creole)
- CT Questionnaire (Polish)
- CT Questionnaire (Russian)
- CT Questionnaire (Spanish)
How much radiation are you exposed to during a scan?
For questions regarding your CT exam radiation exposure, please call one of Stamford Hospital’s medical physicists at 203.276.4099.
How do you obtain my results or a copy of my exam?
For information about your results, please access your Patient Portal or call the Health Information Management Department at 203.276.7455. Or, fill out the medical record request form, bring your photo ID, and visit the center where your exam was held.
Special Clinical Services
CARDIAC IMAGING
We offer an array of exams based on your clinical indications including calcium scoring, angiography of the coronary arteries, pulmonary vein mapping, Watchman, and pre-op imaging for TAVR.
LUNG SCREENING PROGRAM
Stamford Health’s Lung Cancer Screening Program is designated by the American College of Radiology and is a Screening Center of Excellence. Candidates must be 50 to 80 years of age, have at least a 20 “pack-year” history of smoking (one pack a day for 20 years; or two packs a day for 10 years), and currently smoke or used to smoke.
PEDIATRIC IMAGING
Stamford Hospital, accredited by the American College of Radiology in Pediatric Imaging, obtains the best image quality with the lowest possible radiation dose.
CT ENTEROGRAPHY
This specialized CT Imaging of the small intestines as well as other structures in the abdomen and pelvis are created through the administration of intravenous and oral contrast and water.
ADVANCED 3D IMAGING
When a more detailed approach to evaluating blood vessels and disease processes in the body is needed, our radiologists are trained in 3D image enhancement.
CT-GUIDED PROCEDURES
Interventional radiology procedures such as biopsies, drainages, or radiofrequency ablations are often performed during a CT scan with CT guidance or CT fluoroscopy guidance.Convenient Locations Close To You
1 Hospital Plaza
Stamford, CT 06902
(203) 276-2602
Services include: CT, fluoroscopy, MRI, nuclear medicine, ultrasound, interventional radiology, and X-ray.
32 Strawberry Hill Court, 2nd Fl
Stamford, CT 06902
(203) 276-2602
Services include: bone density, CT, fluoroscopy, mammography, MRI, nuclear medicine, PET, ultrasound, and X-ray.
6 Thorndal Circle, Suite 104
Darien, CT 06820
(203) 276-2602
Services include: bone density, CT, mammography, MRI, ultrasound, and X-ray.