Before The Test | The Day Of The Test | During The Test | After The Test
For Your Doctor

A CT Scan (Computed Tomography) is a computerized X-ray test to study cross section views or your head or body. CT Scanning is available through SHS at both Muncy Valley Hospital and The Williamsport Hospital.

Susquehanna Health is proud to announce that it is the only hospital in the region to have Dual Source CT Imaging. This leading edge technology has twice the speed of current 64 slice scanners, delivering superb images in record time.

Our Dual Source CT scanner features two x-ray tubes that rotate simultaneously capturing images in half the time of conventional scanners. It is fast enough to clearly image the beating heart as well as the coronary arteries.

This innovative technology boasts many other benefits including:

• Higher sensitivity in detecting early disease.
• Superior imaging for acute stroke.
• Rapid imaging without sedation for pediatric patients and patients who are in extreme pain.

Our patients are amazed at how quickly they are scanned and physicians are pleased with the high resolution images that allow them to make more accurate diagnoses.

For more information, call 570-321-2525.

For women. If there is a chance you are pregnant, please tell your doctor, radiologist or the technologist doing the scan.

You should have only liquids for the meal before the scan is scheduled. You may, however, take prescription medicine if you have it. If you are diabetic, follow your doctor's instructions about eating before the scan.

Some abdominal CT scans require you to drink a contrast material (flavored liquid) before your exam. The liquid outlines the stomach and intestines assuring positive identification of these organs. You may arrange to pick up this liquid before your appointment.

Please report 15 minutes before your scheduled drink and/or scan time. If you are scheduled at The Williamsport Hospital, report directly to the CT Scan department. If you are scheduled at Muncy Valley Hospital, report to the central registration desk. For appointments at Divine Providence Hospital, report to the registration office in X-ray.

For a head CT you must remove any metal objects such as glasses, earrings, hairpins, barrettes and hearing aids.

For sinus, facial or neck CT scans you must remove dentures, if you wear them.

For body and spine studies you will be asked to remove your clothing and wear a hospital gown.

For this painless procedure, a technologist helps you onto an examination table in a position that is as comfortable as possible. You are then secured to the table, instructed not to move during the procedure and moved into the scanner. Your technologist will be in an adjacent room where he or she can control the procedure and see and hear you. For chest and abdomen CT scans, you may be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds. Depending on the part of the body to be scanned, it may take from 15 minutes to one hour.

The sounds you hear are the motor and the movement of the table.

During the exam you may be injected with a contrast material or "dye" before the next scan to increase the amount of information available from the scans.

The films are developed and checked. You are then able to leave. The scan results are read by the radiologist and reported to your doctor.

You may return to your normal diet following the scan unless your doctor has told you otherwise. If you were injected with dye for the scan, drink plenty of fluids afterwards.

If you have questions or would like further information about the CT scan, please call one of the numbers below. We will be happy to help you.
Divine Providence Hospital     326-8171
Muncy Valley Hospital     546-4212
The Williamsport Hospital    321-2525

Note: If there is a delay in the schedule for unexpected equipment adjustment or servicing or an emergency need for the equipment, we will make every effort to notify you. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

Important information before ordering a CT scan for your patient.

During the CT scan, it may be necessary to inject intravenous contrast material.

If your patient has a history of allergic reactions to iodine or X-ray dye, please alert our X-ray technologist.

If your patient is diabetic and takes Glucophage®, it should be stopped before the scan. It can be started again two days following the scan if the patient's renal function tests are normal.

If your patient is considered high risk (see below), please order a blood test (Bun & Creatinine®). The test must be performed within 30 days before the injection of intravascular contrast material.

High risk patients include:

• Known pre-existing renal diseases .
• Hypertension .
• Diabetes Mellitus .
• Advanced cardiovascular diseases .
• Age greater than 60 years .
• Multiple myeloma .
• Dehydration .
• Recent intravascular contrast examination (within the last 72 hours).