Nearly everyone has at some time in their life had an x-ray taken, whether at the dentist as part of a routine dental exam or to check for broken bones after an accident. X-rays are invisible waves of ionizing radiation that pass through the body and are altered by the thickness of different tissues to create two-dimensional (2D) images of a body part. Computed tomography (CT) [link to Computed Tomography/what it is and how it works] uses x-rays generated from a source that rotates around the body to create three-dimensional (3D) images of body parts. CT enables doctors to see detailed images of disease, organs and structural abnormalities deep within the body. They provide critical information for the care of sick children and help reduce the need for exploratory and other types of surgeries.

CT's ability to scan from head to toe makes it very versatile. Organs and areas of the body typically scanned by Florida Hospital's Pediatric Imaging Services include:

• Brain
• Heart and blood vessels
• Head and face, including sinuses
• Chest, stomach and pelvic areas
• Spine, bones and joints

Safety

Some studies of large populations exposed to radiation have demonstrated slight increases in cancer risk even at low levels of radiation exposure, particularly in children. To be safe, pediatric radiologists at Florida Hospital act as if low doses of radiation may cause harm.

Compared to other x-ray imaging modalities, CT exposes patients to more radiation than a single x-ray. This is necessary to achieve the exceptional detail and image quality CT provides. To minimize radiation exposure to children, our CT scans are designed to give your child the smallest radiation dose possible and are in compliance with the American College of Radiology guidelines. Florida Hospital also participates and follows practice guidelines set forth by Image Gently, a coalition of health care organizations and imaging professionals dedicated to providing safe, high quality pediatric imaging nationwide.

What to Expect

Before the Test

Prepare your child for the experience of having a CT scan with the help of Max and Buddy Bear, Florida Hospital's unique cartoon characters featured in the educational video "The Bear Facts about CT Scans." Max and Buddy explain the process of having a CT scan in a simple, fun and reassuring manner to address your child's questions and anxieties. To download the video, visit Max and Buddy Bear at www.maxandbuddy.com.

Your child should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing without zippers, clasps, buckles, buttons or any metal. He/she may be given a gown to wear during the procedure. Metal objects including jewelry, eyeglasses and hairpins should be left at home or removed prior to your child's exam.

Your child may be asked not to eat or drink anything for several hours beforehand, especially if a contrast material or sedative will be used during the exam. If sedation is necessary, your child may not be allowed to eat for three to six hours prior to the exam.

Inform the doctor or our staff about any medications your child takes and if he/she has any allergies, especially to contrast materials, iodine or seafood. Also inform your doctor of any recent illnesses or other medical conditions your child may have and if there is a history of heart disease, asthma, diabetes, kidney disease or thyroid problems. Any of these conditions may increase the risk of an allergic reaction.

During the test

Your child will be brought into the CT scanner room, placed on a narrow table and asked to lie very still while images are being taken. Sometimes it is necessary to sedate babies and children so that they can lie motionless during the CT scan. We have a highly-experienced team of pediatric sedation nurses. Our staff is also skilled at helping young children stay motionless for imaging studies by employing age-appropriate distraction techniques.

As the exam begins, the table will move through the circular structure that looks like a donut, which contains the x-ray source. The actual scanning takes only a few minutes, during which your child will likely hear some whirring, clicking and other noises. A technologist, stationed in a separate room, will always be able to see your child through a window and talk to him/her via intercom.

After the test

Once the test is completed, you and your child are free to leave and carry on with your normal activities. If your child was given a contrast agent and/or sedative we may need to keep your child for either observation to ensure that he/she doesn't have a delayed reaction or to allow your child to wake up from the sedative. Unless told otherwise, have your child drink plenty of fluids to help flush out the contrast materials from his/her body. This occurs naturally and takes about a day.

The Results

Once obtained, your child's CT image remains an electronic file. Florida Hospital has the most sophisticated network, viewing stations and software for processing, transmitting, reviewing and storing these electronic images.

One of our board-certified pediatric radiologists will examine and interpret the CT scans and create a report of his/her findings that will be sent to your child's doctor. Your child's doctor will present the results and discuss them with you.