Ct Scan

[donny48]

My wife has to have a CT scan of , as far as we know her head and neck, the hospital requests that she does not eat for two hours before the scan but to drink at least two glasses of water. Given that it is her head and neck can someone explain why ?

[bednobs]

what is she having it for?

[237SJ]

That might just be a standard letter that is sent out for all CT scans. I don`t know about the not eating but the drinking of fluids might help the CT contrast to disperse around the body

[donny48]

Extremely bad headaches and neck pain that affects her arms. The doctors first thought for the pain was arthritis given she already has this in her knees. The headaches are affecting her vision.

[Sqad]

No idea!

[Sqad]

Just had a thought....it may be to be sure that the stomach is empty if the patient reacts to the contrast and aspirates stomach contents into the lungs.
Patients who have a CT scan WITHOUT contrast need not fast before the procedure.