CT Scan - Thigh with Contrast Test

CT scan or CAT scan or Computer tomography or computer aided tomography or computer axial tomography scan is the cross-sectional scan taken around a body or a specific part by the scanner. It is a radiology exam that involves no pain and is performed to learn the cause of the pain via a non-invasive manner. It takes computer processed combinations of several x-ray measurements to produce images of the scanned part. Sometimes a special die called a contrast material is needed to highlight the part or areas of the body being examined. This contrast can be either given by mouth or injected or by enema. The contrast blocks the x-rays and displays white on the images which helps in emphasizing blood vessels or any other such structures.

Be verified if the scanner table fits your weight, as beyond the weight limit of the table causes damage to the scanner parts. You will be asked to wear the hospital gown. Sometimes contrast is used before the exam. If contrast is to be used, you may be asked not to eat or drink anything for 4 to 6 hours before the test. Any reactions shown earlier for contrast are to be pre informed to your practitioner. Diabetes patients – if you take the medicine metformin, the doctor should be pre-informed the same as it needs some extra steps.

CT scan for thigh with contrast aids in understanding the cause of pain either it can be any of: abscess or infection or broken bone or masses and tumors or for healing problems or scar tissues post surgery or arthritis or swelling or any walking difficulty.

For the scan you are asked to lie on a hard table to which the scanner is arranged. Once you are inside the scanner it takes multiple images of the whole body or a part of the body in specific. Separate images of the body area called slices are created and these images can be viewed on a screen, printed or stored. 3d images can also be created by adding up the slices. This test needs you to be still as any movement causes blurred images. For toddlers or infants to stay still a sedative may be recommended by your doctor. The test may take around 10 to 15 minutes.