the scan itself

What will happen?

The radiographer, the person who performs the scan, will explain the procedure to you clearly before commencing the scan. You will be asked to lie flat on the scanning couch. Only the part of your body being examined is positioned inside the scanner opening. Once you are comfortably positioned the radiographer will leave the room. The radiographer controls the examination from the scanner console in the control room adjoining the scanner room. There is a large window through which the staff will watch you during the scan. You can talk to the staff via the two-way intercom system housed inside the scanner. You must lie still and relax. The scanner makes a whirring noise during the scan and the table will move very slowly.

How long will it take?

The actual scan times are very short, only a few seconds long. The whole CT procedure lasts between 10 and 20 minutes. The radiographer is with you in the scanning room for most of the time apart from the few seconds when the actual scans are taking place.