What's a CT scan like?

February 27, 2009 12:04 AM

What happens when you have to get a CT scan of the kidneys?

Right now I'm being treated for a kidney infection and have promised my doctor that if any of the symptoms get worse, I would go straight to the emergency room for a CT scan and IV. Just in case things do get worse, what actually happens when you get a CT scan? It would take a lot of stress off my mind to know what to expect in the event that I do have to go to the ER.

Thanks. And for the record, yes, I am taking antibiotics and have gotten a shot to jump-start the fight against the infection.

posted by corey flood to health & fitness (16 comments total)

Not a big deal, don't stress about it. (I'm currently sick with a cold and feeling pretty bad, or I would go into more reassuring detail here.) Note that I have had several different kinds of CT scans, including a kidney CT scan. Here's general info./descriptions of CT scans.
posted by gudrun at 12:28 AM on February 27

I've had CT and MRI's done, both are no big deal at all, but CT is the least of the two if you are anxious about it.

You lie on an automatic table that sits in a big ring (MRI's are a much smaller hole so if you are claustrophobic, I doubt this would even register, its very open space)

They may need to use contrast, if so, you'll get a IV line and they will push some iodine marker into you with an automatic syringe while they are scanning. The syringe is kinda big, but the line into your arm is normal.
The first time I had contrast, I immediately felt "hot" all over, like as if I was standing in front of an oven, but it goes away after about a minute or so. The effect was much less the other few times I've had contrast with CT.

So they run you into the ring, have you lie still, the ring will spin around you and they might ask you to take and hold breaths for 10-15 second intervals while they scan.

Really, thats it, no problem.

Personally I figure they'd make you take a 24hr urine collection or a glofil test to check kidney function if they were worried about damage or something.

(what was up with martens' answer? jeez)

Good luck if you have to go!

oh, google images of CT machines
posted by clanger at 2:20 AM on February 27

When I had a CT scan most recently I had to drink 16 oz of something for contrast as well as having an iv. The drink was inoffensive. The IV does make one feel briefly hot. The prep took far longer than the CT - mainly waiting for ~ hour after drinking the contrast liquid - which is radio opaque so helps make kidney stones more visible. The scan itself took less than five minutes and was no big deal. You may be cold and if you are ask for a blanket. And feel better - kidney infections are miserable and worse yet if combined with kidney stones - been there, done that and it's the pits.
posted by leslies at 5:05 AM on February 27

I agree with what's been said so far, but I have one thing to add.

I also had to drink oral contrast in addition to getting the IV contrast. If you're given a barium drink, it's really thick, like a milkshake, and probably flavored (not very well). It's really not that bad to drink but might be difficult to drink the necessary amount in a short period of time. I found it easier to use a straw despite one person telling me it wouldn't help.
posted by mathlete at 5:42 AM on February 27

I had the drink as well -- it was sort of a fruity/slushy kind of thing. Didn't taste bad at all. Only thing I'd add to the discussion is that I felt really lousy for a couple days following mine. The only thing that really helped me was drinking a lot of water (carbonated was even better) to help flush the contrast from my system a little quicker. But on the grand scale of medical procedures it's nothing to worry about or dread.
posted by Atom12 at 6:01 AM on February 27

I once had several CTs over the span of a year or so, and they aren't much to worry about. As mentioned above, you'll get an IV put in, so if you don't like needles you won't love that part. As for the contrast liquid you need to drink, I've experienced two: One is a barium drink as mentioned by mathlete, which isn't too bad to drink. But the other is a transparent liquid (gastrographin, I think) that smells like photo developer, and tastes like it too; I couldn't bring myself to drink it, but they still got the images they need. My CT scans were for my liver, so YMMV.

The actual CT scanning takes a few minutes, and is only worrisome because they say "hold your breath for n seconds" and as you're holding your breath, you're thinking "what happens if I can't hold on... uh oh, I need to breathe..." and by then it's over. Otherwise, no biggie -- no crazy loud noises or narrow tunnels. You pass through a doughnut a couple of times on an automatic table, and that's it.

If you're interested, you might be able to ask the technician afterwards to look over their shoulder as they examine your scans so that you can see your guts. I saw it once, and it really freaked me out, because until then anatomy seemed to me to be something that other people had, not me. (Wierd, I know.)
posted by Simon Barclay at 6:04 AM on February 27

I had one recently to check for renal arterial stenosis. The procedure was no big deal - much as mentioned above. I didn't have to drink anything - the contrast was via IV. Something that's good to know, that my tech informed me of (but I'm sure that not all techs are as helpful) - for some people, the minute the contrast hits your bloodstream you will feel like you're about to lose all control of bodily functions! This doesn't happen to everyone, but it sure did to me. Don't worry - you don't actually lose control. It's a pretty weird feeling though.

The other thing that would have been helpful to know is that you can't have any metal bits on your clothing when they do the procedure. I live in Levis, so of course I showed up in my jeans and had to change into a flimsy little gown on a cold morning. My tech told me that it's a good idea to wear sweatpants when you're getting a CT, so you don't have to undress.
posted by chez shoes at 6:43 AM on February 27

Thank you so much, everyone! I really appreciate all the info. It's good to know what I can expect if I do have to go.

Thanks again.
posted by corey flood at 6:53 AM on February 27

Not to pile on, but having just had my first CT scan last month, i wanted to agree that it is not a big deal. But the IV contrast was freaky! As soon as the injection went in, my mouth and throat went numb (for just a matter of seconds...like getting a shot of novocaine) and my bladder/crotch went hot. I'm a guy, so you may not feel it the same way, but it was freaky (and exactly as the tech had warned me about, so i wasn't afraid, just really, really surprised).

I was a little fuzzy in the brain for about a half hour after the scan (while waiting for the results), but felt fine otherwise.
posted by jindc at 7:07 AM on February 27

A CT scan is a fancy X-ray done from different angles to get a 3-D image. It's a quick procedure. For a kidney scan, depending on where you go, you may either have to change into a hospital robe, or they may just ask you to pull your pants down. Aside from the equipment they use (which is pretty cool) the process is otherwise unremarkable.
posted by zippy at 7:10 AM on February 27

If you're interested, make sure you ask for a copy of the DICOM data from your scan. They should have no problem burning you a cd. You can then view your data on a Mac with Osirix or ezDICOM for Windows. Most large hospital systems will probably have a DICOM viewer on the disc (usually for Windows).
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 7:54 AM on February 27 [2 favorites]

As soon as the injection went in, my mouth and throat went numb (for just a matter of seconds...like getting a shot of novocaine) and my bladder/crotch went hot.

I'm a girl and the same thing happened to me and it freaked the hell out of me because I wasn't expecting it and the lab tech didn't mention it. It's a weird super-quick sensation that goes away within a minute or two but it's freaky when it first happens, so don't worry. It doesn't feel bad, just unlike anything else I've ever felt. My mouth didn't go numb, more like suddenly tasted metallic.
posted by jessamyn at 8:15 AM on February 27

Having had more CT scans than I care to admit, here's my best piece of advice --go pee just before the exam (unless they tell you otherwise, of course). When the contrast stats, you can actually feel the warm flowing through you, and it really feels like you peed your pants. You will want to feel your crotch to check. Trust me, you did not pee your pants. But it's easier to believe that if you know your bladder is empty!

When you're done, drink a ton of water. At least a couple bottles. You want to get all that contrast out as soon as you can. It doesn't really harm you that I know of, but I just know I'd rather have it out of my system asap.
posted by cgg at 8:39 AM on February 27

I had one done to confirm that I did indeed have a kidney stone, and like everybody above says, no big deal. The technician showed me very cool pictures of my innards -- you should ask. My insurance company got an unbelievably large bill.
posted by Killick at 8:43 AM on February 27

One thing they may have you also drink is MucoMyst to protect your kidneys. I had to drink that stuff to protect my kidneys as contrast is hard on them. MucoMyst is disgusting but drink it down fast to get it over with.
posted by SuzySmith at 3:26 PM on February 27

Oh, man, you guys have all made me feel so much better! Seriously, knowing that I don't need to worry about this is going to allow me to sleep so much better tonight...my kidneys thank you!
posted by corey flood at 7:44 PM on February 27