Download Coming for a Radiotherapy Planning CT scan

Coming for a Radiotherapy
Planning CT scan
Radiotherapy Department
Ninewells Hospital
Reception – Telephone: 01382 740201
The aim of this leaflet is to provide you with information to help prepare you for your
radiotherapy planning CT scan.
CT stands for Computed Tomography.
This is a procedure that uses x-rays and a computer to produce detailed scan pictures of
any part of the body. These pictures are used to create your radiotherapy treatment plan.
The Radiotherapy Department CT scanner:
Your appointment
It is important that you arrive in the Radiotherapy Department on time for your
appointment. If you are going to be late or cannot attend, please contact us as soon as
possible. The telephone number is on the front of this leaflet. Please leave a message if
you telephone before 8.45am or after 5.15pm.
What preparation is required before this examination?
There are usually no special preparations needed before this examination. You may eat
as normal before and after the scan. For some scans, we may ask you to follow bladder
and bowel preparation prior to your examination. Instructions for this preparation will be
provided at your clinic appointment or along with your CT scan appointment letter if it is
appropriate for you.
Medicines: Take your usual medications as normal unless you have been told not to do
so.
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What happens when I arrive?

When you arrive please report to the Radiotherapy Reception Level 2, Radiotherapy
Department, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee.

You will be asked to change into a gown or jogging bottoms and remove any jewellery.
Where possible, please do not bring any valuables with you as there is no secure
storage available. Small items may be taken in to the examination room with you.

You will be in the department for approximately 30 minutes.
Who will be present during the CT scan?
A team of radiographers will carry out the scan.
What happens during the CT scan?

You will be asked your name, date of birth, address and contact number by the
radiographer.

You will be asked to lie on the CT couch in the position that you will be in for your
treatment. This may involve using special positioning aids, for example, arm rests,
knee supports, to help you to lie still. This will ensure that your position is comfortable
and easily reproducible during your planning and treatment.

The couch moves your body through the scanner but you will not be entering an
enclosed space.

The radiographer will draw some ink marks on your skin and place pieces of wire or
small ball bearings over these marks. These will be used as reference marks
throughout the planning process and may not be where you expect your treatment to
be given.
At the end of the scan, the radiographer will remove the pieces of wire and ball bearings.

With your permission, we will make small permanent marks on your skin and place
sticky plastic circles over some of the ink marks. These marks act as reference points
which are important to ensure the accuracy of your treatment. The sticky circles help
keep the ink marks on and are unlikely to irritate your skin. They provide a watertight
seal and stay securely in place for up to four weeks. Do not remove them. You will
be able to gently wash and dry your skin without washing off the ink marks.
This shows an ink mark on a patient’s
skin covered by a sticky plastic circle:

For some scans, an injection of contrast media (a colourless liquid often referred to as
dye) is required and may be injected into either your arm or hand. This will be carried
out by a specially trained radiographer. You will be asked questions about any serious
allergies or severe reactions to medication or contrast media that you may have had in
the past before this is done.
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What happens after the CT scan?
 If you have had an injection of contrast media, you will be asked to wait in the
department for another 15 minutes before the needle is removed. You are advised to
stay within the hospital for one hour if you have had a contrast medium injection.

If you did not have an injection, you can leave the hospital immediately after your scan.

It will be safe for you to drive after the scan.

You will be given your treatment appointments and skin care information before you
leave the department.
What happens to the scan?
You will not get any results from this scan, as the information is for radiotherapy planning
purposes only. Your scan is sent to the radiotherapy planning computer. Your doctor will
decide the area to be treated based on this scan. A radiotherapy treatment plan is then
produced by a team of radiographers, physicists and your doctor. This plan is made
individually to suit you and will ensure that we give you the best possible treatment.
Contact Numbers:
Radiotherapy Reception (Level 2)
Telephone: 01382 740201
Developed by Radiotherapy staff and has been reviewed by patients and staff.
Reviewed: 08/2015 Review: 08/2017 LN1047
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