Dr. Drahanowsky explains the CT examination.

CT image of the skull (cross-section)

CT image of the inner ear (cross-section)

CT image of the inner ear (longitudinal section)

CT image of the rib cage with emphasis on the large vessels

CT of the abdominal cavity at the level of the liver, pancreas and spleen

CT image of the abdominal cavity at the level of the kidneys

Special CT image of the kidney with the vessels

Prior appointment: required
Preparation: usually required
Contrast medium: required sometimes
(depending on the type of examination)

Areas of application:

• Chest, particularly the lungs, to clarify ambiguous findings on conventional X-rays (X-rays of the heart and lung)
• Evidence or exclusion of pulmonary embolism, lung tumours (lung cancer), and metastases of the lung and the pleura
• Monitoring the above mentioned diseases under appropriate treatment
• Evidence or exclusion of pathological changes in the brain
• Control investigations after cerebral haemorrhage, circulation disorders, etc.
• Diagnosis of intervertebral disk disease; magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) is gaining increasing importance for this indication
• All diseases of the abdominal and pelvic organs
• Extension of the aorta
• Injuries or inflammation of the paranasal sinuses or the facial part of the skull
• Visualisation of diseased or enlarged lymph nodes in the whole body
• Complex 3D imaging of all regions of the body
• Virtual endoscopy of hollow organs, particularly the large intestines, the bronchial system, etc.
• Visualisation of coronary arteries
• Quantification of pulmonary emphysema (distended lung)
• Automatic detection and volumetry of circular foci in the lung
• CT angiography of all vascular regions
• etc.
  

The investigation:

Even patients who are afraid of closed spaces (claustrophobia) are able to tolerate lying still in the rather wide and short opening of the CT device. During the procedure you will be lying on a comfortable table. During investigations of the abdominal cavity or the chest, you will have to raise your arms upward and keep them next to your head. The table will move through the circular opening during the examination; the distance it moves will depend on the length of the body region under investigation. Through a loudspeaker you will receive breathing commands or explanations and instructions from our radiological assistant. Occasionally it may be necessary to inject contrast medium through a vein in the arm. This will enhance the information provided by the images because inflammations or tumours, for instance, are seen more clearly with contrast medium. Moreover, anatomical margins and structures of the organs are identified more easily. Prior to investigations of the abdominal cavity or the pelvis, you may be given a contrast medium to drink; its purpose is to better visualise the intestines. After the examination you should drink a large amount of fluid in order to eliminate the contrast medium faster through the kidneys and the gastrointestinal tract.

Important information:

For every CT investigation your REFERRAL must be APPROVED by a senior medical authority of your health insurance company.
If you suffer from a thyroid disease please inform us about it at the registration counter.
If you have any previous images (X-rays, CT or MRT) of the corresponding region, please take these with you.