CT(Computed Tomography)

The CT workplace is located on the ground floor of Building 13 (Orthopedic Clinic).

An appointment must be made in advance in person or by phone at +420 266 083 107, Monday to Thursday 7.00-15.00. The patient must have a duly filled out request form for examination issued by the referring (referring) physician.

The CT department is located in building no.16 - Pavilion B of the Institute of Radiation Oncology, it serves mainly for the needs of patients of this institute, outpatients from departments outside the Bulovka Hospital are not examined at this detached workplace.

Indications

Computed tomography imaging is indicated for acute and chronic diseases. Commonly performed examinations include imaging of the brain, paranasal sinuses, temporal bones, spine (cervical, thoracic, lumbar), neck, intrathoracic organs, abdominal and pelvic organs. 

Special types of examinations include imaging of blood vessels (intracranial arteries, carotid arteries, thoracic and abdominal aorta as well as all peripheral arteries), including 3D spatial reconstructions with the possibility of planning further treatment (surgery, angioplasty, stent placement... ). We also perform examination of the hollow organs including virtual endoscopy, i.e.  imaging of the airways (virtual bronchoscopy) and the colon (virtual colonoscopy). CT enterography is also among the basic spectrum of examinations imaging the small intestinal tract. Under CT control, we perform a number of non-vascular interventional procedures such as sampling for histological and cytological examinations (biopsies), drainage of abscesses, drainage of pseudocysts in chronic pancreatitis, drainage of fluid collections in acute pancreatitis, radiofrequency ablation in metastatic processes of the liver, kidney, sympathetic nerve and cysts.

 

What is the principle of CT scanning

It is a device working with X-rays similar to a conventional X-ray machine, on which e.g.In contrast to a conventional X-ray machine, where the radiation source (X-ray tube) and the detector of the radiation passing through the person under examination (film or digital detection system) are stationary, in a CT scanner the X-ray tube and the detection system rotate around the patient's body, which is irradiated gradually from different directions around the body. The detectors then evaluate the amount of radiation passing through the patient's body from different directions, and images of the body layers are then computerized from this data.

 

Contraindications to CT scanning (when not to perform the scan)

  • Native scanning (i.e. examination without the use of contrast medium) - can be performed at any time in indicated cases, the relative contraindication is pregnancy (in pregnant women can be performed only in life-threatening cases).
  • Examination with contrast agent - the examination must not be performed in patients allergic to iodine contrast agents.

In the following conditions, the examination may be performed only in emergency cases (vital indications - the examination must be performed to save the patient's life) and under emergency measures specific to the case (extended anti-allergic preparation, assistance of an anesthesiologist, provision of hemodialysis, etc.):

  • gravidity (pregnancy)
  • severe forms of polyvalent allergy
  • renal insufficiency (impaired renal excretory function)
  • untreated uncorrected hyperthyroidism (increased thyroid function)
  • pheochromocytoma (catecholamine-producing tumor)

 

Preparation prior to examination

  • No special preparation is required for a CT scan with no contrast agent administration (i.e. CT of the spine, sinuses, HRCT of the lungs).
  • For a expected contrast agent administration, come to the examination fasting (at least 4 hours before the examination only small amounts of liquid, no coffee or alcohol). If a targeted examination of the gastrointestinal tract (small and large intestine) is performed, more thorough preparation (emptying of the intestine) is necessary according to the instructions of the attending physician ordering the examination. Further necessary preparation will then be carried out on the day of the examination according to the instructions of the examining physician (radiologist). Prior to the CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis, the digestive tube should be filled with a contrast agent so that it is clearly distinguishable from other structures. Water with added contrast agent is administered, which the patient drinks, depending on the area to be examined, continuously for 30 to 90 minutes before the examination.
  • If you suffer from allergies to any substances (including pollen allergy or insect bites), please notify your treating physician and CT department staff in advance. It is very important to inform the attending physician and the staff of the CT department whether you have had an allergic reaction to intravenous iodine contrast agent in the past, not only during the CT scan but also during the examination of blood vessels (angiography and phlebography) or kidneys (excretory urography). In addition, tell the CT department staff if you suffer from renal impairment or glaucoma. The radiologist will consider the need for intravenous administration of contrast medium, or recommend prophylactic medication to exclude possible complications associated with intravenous administration of contrast medium.

 

How is the examination performed?

  • The examination is performed by an experienced radiology assistant or technician under the direction of a radiologist. You will be asked to lay down as necessary, then lie down on the CT machine table.
  • Before the head and neck examination, you will need to remove earrings and chains from your neck.
  • If it is necessary to administer an intravenous contrast agent, a cannula will be inserted into your vein. During the examination, you will pass through the ring of the CT machine, and we will instruct you to hold your breath, restrict swallowing, etc. from a microphone during the examination.
  • You will be injected with a contrast agent into a vein, usually by an auto-injector.
  • The entire examination takes 5-20 minutes. If you have been administered contrast medium into a vein, you will wait another 15 minutes in the waiting room, otherwise you can download the results in xls format after the examination is completed

Scope of imaging examinations performed and availability of results in xls format here.