Understanding Your Child's CT Scan

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Riley Radiology - Uniquely Qualified

Dedicated to the care of children, the pediatric radiology staff at Riley Hospital for Children combines medical skill with the personal experience of working and interacting with children every day to provide the best possible radiology services. Riley's pediatric radiologists, affiliated with Indiana Radiology Partners (IRP), are subspecialty board certified and have completed extensive training. IRP's pediatric radiologists provide subspecialized interpretation services and child-focused care with high-quality imaging.

What Is a CT Scan?

A Computed Tomography (CT) scan is an X-ray exam that combines X-ray images (pictures) with the help of a computer to create detailed cross-sectional views of the body in different layers. Imagine the body as a loaf of bread, and you are looking at one end of the loaf. As each slice of bread is removed, you can see the entire surface of that slice from the crust to the center. The body is seen on a CT scan in a similar way - as "slices" from the skin to the central part of the body.

CT scans show normal and abnormal structures in the body and assist in procedures by helping to accurately guide the placement of instruments or treatments. Many different parts of the body can be imaged with a CT scan, including the head, neck, chest, abdomen, arms and legs. The exam is not painful; it is merely an X-ray that takes unique pictures.

CT is often the most preferred method:

• To diagnose the source of pain caused by infections and inflammation (appendicitis or pancreatitis, for example)
• To diagnose cancer and to monitor treatment effects
• To diagnose injuries

Preparing for Your Child's CT Scan

You will be contacted to confirm the date and time of your child's exam and the time you should plan to arrive. If you have any questions, call the Riley CT department at (317) 278-6342.

Your child may not be able to eat or drink anything before the test. Depending on what type of test is ordered by your child's doctor, your child may need to drink a contrast-agent (special liquid dye). This oral contrast-agent has no color or taste and will be added to a sugar-free Kool-Aid flavor of your child's choice. Contrast may need to be given through the veins in addition to orally, which means that an IV will be started prior to the exam. A Riley radiology staff member will let you know if this is necessary for your child's exam.

Sedation (medicine that helps people relax and/or sleep) may be needed to help your child remain still during the exam. This will only be used when absolutely necessary. At Riley, distraction methods, such as music, lights and toys, are commonly and successfully used instead of sedation.

Depending on the need for sedation and/or the contrast-agent, the length of time that your child must go without eating or drinking will vary. When your child is scheduled for a CT exam, you will be given specific information about this.

The CT Scan - What to Expect

After your child is registered, you will be directed to the CT area on the first floor of the Riley Outpatient Center. Be sure to ask for our Garfield coloring book for your child when you check in! Your schedule should allow for additional time for parking, registration and exam instructions.

When it's time for the CT scan, your child will be taken to a room with a machine that looks like a donut (the CT scanner). Your child will lie down on a table that slides through the machine to the area of the body where the images will be taken. While on the table, it will be necessary to secure your child, similar to using a seat belt in a car. For the best results and clear images, your child will be asked to relax and hold very still during the exam. With Riley's state-of-the art, multi-channel scanners, the actual imaging time is brief, between four and 20 seconds, helping to minimize the need for sedation.

In the event moderate sedation or general anesthesia is necessary to complete your child's exam, Riley's expert pediatric anesthesiologists and nurses will administer the sedative or anesthesia and monitor your child until they awaken following the exam. If you have any questions or would like more information about sedation and anesthesia, ask a member of the Riley radiology staff for assistance.

Your child will remain under the care of his health care provider who supplied the written order for the exam. This is also the person who will receive the exam report from the Riley radiologist and notify you of the results.

Insurance Coverage

Riley Hospital for Children and Indiana Radiology Partners, both affiliated with Clarian Health Partners, participate in the majority of health insurance plans. It is recommended that all patients check with their insurance company for coverage.

Riley Hospital for Children is a national leader among children's hospitals in minimizing radiation exposure. We use techniques that result in the lowest doses possible for your child. For more information about exposure to radiation, ask your doctor or consult the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Web site at www.fda.gov/cdrh/safety/110201-ct.html.