Your child may need to be sedated, which may be done on an outpatient basis. You must be present to give your consent, and you can stay in the room until your child is sleeping. Learn more about sedation and how to prepare for your child's medical imaging procedure.
When your child has a CT, they are brought to the room and placed on the imaging table. Most often children lay on their backs, but scans can be done in any position.
A child may go in the machine head first or feet first, depending on the body part being imaged. Whenever possible, we have your child go in feet first so their head and hands are outside where you can hold them. We use “seatbelts” to keep your child secure.
With younger children, the technologist may do a “practice run.” Usually, two sets of pictures are taken. Also depending on the CT type, your child may have to hold his or her breath. The technologist first explains this so the mechanized voice giving breathing directions does not startle your child.
If the CT procedure requires contrast, it is given orally or intravenously.
An IV is started by the nursing staff or the vascular access team. First, to numb the skin, we use a product that infuses a numbing agent into the skin without a needle.
If your child needs to drink the oral contrast, you may bring with you any non-milk or non-carbonated drink like juice or lemonade to be used.
Some CT scans are as short as five seconds and some are longer, dependent on the body part being imaged. Since images can be reviewed in nearly real time, the radiologist checks images before your child is taken off of the bed. During this time, it is important your child stay still in case more scans are needed.
