Ultrafast / Electron Beam CT
Scan
What is an ultrafast/electron beam CT
(computed tomography) scan?In conventional x-rays, a beam of energy is aimed at the body
part being studied. A plate behind the body part captures the variations
of the energy beam after it passes through skin, bone, muscle, and other
tissue. While much information can be obtained from a regular x-ray,
specific detail about internal organs and other structures is not
available.
With computed tomography (also called CT or CAT scan), the x-ray beam
moves in a circle around the body. This allows many different views of the
same organ or structure, and provides much greater detail. The x-ray
information is sent to a computer which interprets the x-ray data and
displays it in two-dimensional form on a monitor.
A new technology called ultrafast CT (also known as electron-beam
tomography, or EBT) is now used, in some cases, to diagnose heart disease.
Ultrafast CT can take multiple images of the heart within the time of a
single heartbeat, thus, providing more detail about the heart's function
and structures, and also greatly decreasing the amount of time required
for a study.
- In some cases, ultrafast CT can be used to diagnose problems
involving abnormal fetal development before a baby is born, such as
diaphragmatic hernia and congenital heart defects. In these cases, the
mother undergoes testing to evaluate the health of her unborn child.
- Ultrafast CT scan may also be used to evaluate selected heart
defects after birth.
What is the preparation for an ultrafast CT scan?
An ultrafast CT scan can be performed with or without
contrast dye. If your child's physician schedules an ultrafast CT
scan of the heart or chest and decides to use contrast dye, your child may
need to be NPO (fasting, nothing by mouth) for several hours prior to the
procedure. You will receive instructions about this from your child's
physician or another healthcare professional.
You will need to let your child's physician know if your child has ever
had a reaction to any contrast dye, or if he/she is allergic to iodine or
seafood. If your teenage daughter is pregnant or could be pregnant, you
should notify the physician prior to the procedure.
How is the ultrafast CT scan performed?The ultrafast CT scanner is located in a large room. Your child
will lie on a narrow table that slides into the hollow tube-shaped
scanner.
Your child will have an intravenous (IV) line if contrast medication is
being used. The contrast medication may be injected prior to the procedure
or during the procedure.
The CT physician and staff will be in an adjacent room where the
equipment controls are located. However, they will be able to see your
child through a large window and will be monitoring him/her constantly
during the procedure. If your child is not sedated, he/she will be given a
call bell device to let the staff know if he/she needs anything during the
procedure. Speakers are located inside the scanner so that your child can
hear instructions from the CT staff and they can hear your child respond.
Once the procedure begins, your child will need to be remain very still
at all times so that movement will not adversely affect the quality of the
images. At intervals, he/she will be instructed to hold his/her breath, if
possible, for a few seconds. He/she will then be told when to breathe.
Your child should not have to hold his/her breath for longer than a few
seconds, so this should not be uncomfortable. Young children who cannot
hold still for the procedure may be given medication to help them relax or
sleep during the ultrafast CT scan.
If the ultrafast CT scan is being done "with and without contrast,"
your child will receive contrast medication through an IV about halfway
through the procedure. He/she may feel a warm or flushed sensation just
after the dye goes into the vein - this is normal and the sensation will
go away shortly.
Once the procedure is finished, the table will slide out of the
scanner. If your child received medication for relaxation or sleep, he/she
will be monitored until the medication wears off and he/she is awake
again. If an IV was inserted, it will be taken out after the procedure is
over and your child is awake.
You may be asked to wait for a short time while the radiologist reviews
the scans to make sure they are clear and complete.
What happens after the procedure?Without sedation, your child should be able to resume normal
activities immediately, unless your child's physician instructs you
otherwise.
With sedation, your child may feel groggy, tired, or sleepy for a
period of several hours after the procedure. However, the sedation effects
should disappear within a day.
Depending on the results of the ultrafast CT scan, additional tests or
procedures may be scheduled to gather further diagnostic information.
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