CT scan
With a CT scan (Computed Tomography), photos are taken by rotating an X-ray tube and detector quickly around the patient. The equipment consists of a short tube through which the patient passes, lying down.
Duration
The examination only takes a few minutes.
Radiation
Ionising radiation is used for this purpose. Modern equipment ensures that the radiation dose is kept as low as possible. With children and young people in particular, too much exposure to radiation is not advisable. With adults and older people, the risk is far lower.
Three-dimensional image
The CT scan provides a complete overview of all structures in the body, including bones, organs and blood vessels. The CT scanner uses the same X-rays as an ‘ordinary’ X-ray machine. The difference is that the CT scanner produces cross sections of the body, enabling the doctor to see slices of your body, as it were. When all the photographed slices are placed one behind the other, a three-dimensional image is created of (part) of your body. This makes it possible to see even more details. As opposed to standard radiology, which produces two-dimensional information.
Read more under the photo.
Contrast agent
A contrast agent is sometimes administered during a CT scan. This contrast agent is expelled via the urine in the hours following the examination. To eliminate the contrast agent quickly, you should drink sufficient water after the examination.
A limited number of patients may experience slight allergic reactions after the administration of the dye, resulting in a skin rash. However, these reactions disappear spontaneously. The dye has been administered over 20,000 times at UZ Brussel. With modern dyes, incidents are extremely rare. If a red rash like this does appear, the patient should contact their GP.
FDG PET-CT scan
An FDG PET-CT scan is a combination of functional (PET) and anatomical (CT) imaging in one examination. An FDG PET-CT examination helps make a diagnosis and detect the extent of a disorder (staging). It can also influence the treatment and assess the course of the disease.
PET scan
A liquid dye is administered so that the blood vessels and organs can be seen more clearly. This is done via a blood vessel in the arm. The examination involves a briefly radioactive glucose analogue known as FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose - 18F). This makes it possible to detect changes in the sugar metabolism of the affected tissue (such as infection or cancer cells) more quickly.
CT scan
A CT scan provides an anatomical reference point when charting the structures with a disrupted sugar metabolism.
Read more under the photo.
Digital images are available
The photos are available shortly after the examination. They are sent to the treating doctor digitally, together with a report. Immediately after the examination, you are given a code which you can use to view the images yourself via the internet.