A multi-detector (or multi-slice) computed tomography (MDCT or MSDT) scan uses a special type of x-ray to obtain information from different angles around the body. Computers process the information and create cross-sectional images that appear as "slices" of the body and organs.

Washington Imaging Services (WIS) offers one of the most advanced scanning systems available—the Siemens 16-slice MDCT scanner. It provides faster, higher-quality image acquisition (32-40 images slices per second) with less radiation exposure. With an MDCT scan, a radiologist can see the location, nature, and extent of many different diseases or abnormalities inside the body. Richly-detailed data can be captured about almost any body organ, such as the liver, pancreas, intestines, kidneys, adrenal glands, lungs and heart, as well as the blood vessels, abdominal cavity, bones and spinal cord.

Abdomen/Pelvis MDCT
Angiogram MDCT
Brain MDCT
Chest MDCT
Colonography MDCT (Also known as Virtual Colonoscopy)
Coronary Angiogram MDCT
Coronary Artery MDCT (Also known as Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring or CACS)
Sinus MDCT
Spine MDCT

Abdomen/Pelvis MDCT
Evaluates the liver, spleen, pancreas, kidneys and lower GI tract, including the colon and rectum.  

Preparation

• Continue to take your routine medications.
• Drink 2 containers of Redi-Cat (450ml each) 3 hours prior to your exam.
• If you are over the age of 65 or have Renal Insufficiency and will be receiving I.V. contrast as part of your MDCT exam, you must have a BUN/creatinine drawn within 30 days of you exam date.
• While at WIS, you will be given an additional cup of Redi-Cat 2 to drink just before your examination.
• Please notify the technologist if you have had a barium study within the last 3 days.
• Please notify the technologist if you are pregnant or could be pregnant.
• Allow 15-30 minutes for the exam.
• Consult the MDCT Exam Guidelines for more information.   Here and elsewhere this MDCT Exam Guidelines shoots you down the page to that header.

Angiogram MDCT
Evaluates arteries outside the heart.  

Preparation

• Continue to take your routine medications.
• Take nothing by mouth 6 hours prior to your exam.
• If you are over the age of 65 or have Renal Insufficiency and will be receiving I.V. contrast as part of your MDCT exam, you must have a BUN/Creatinine drawn within 30 days of your exam date.
• Please notify the technologist if you have had a barium exam within the last 3 days.
• Please notify the technologist if you are pregnant or could be pregnant.
• Allow 30 minutes for the exam.
• Consult the MDCT Exam Guidelines for more information.  

Brain MDCT
Assesses head injuries, stroke, brain tumors and other brain diseases.  

Preparation

• Continue to take your routine medications.
• Take nothing by mouth 3 hours prior to your exam.
• Please notify the technologist if you are pregnant or could be pregnant.
• Allow 20 minutes for the exam.
• Consult the MDCT Exam Guidelines for more information.  

Chest MDCT
Assesses for lung cancer and other lung diseases.  

Preparation

• Continue to take your routine medications.
• Take nothing by mouth 3 hours prior to your exam.
• If you are over the age of 65 or have Renal Insufficiency and will be receiving I.V. contrast as part of your MDCT exam, you must have a BUN/creatinine drawn within 30 days of your exam date.
• Please notify the technologist if you have had a barium study within the last 3 days.
• Please notify the technologist if you are pregnant or could be pregnant.
• Allow 15-30 minutes for the exam.
• Consult the MDCT Exam Guidelines for more information.  

Sinus MDCT
Evaluates sinus and nasal structures and abnormalities.  

Preparation

• No appointment is necessary.
• Continue to take your routine medications.
• No preparation is necessary.
• Please notify the technologist if you are pregnant or could be pregnant.
• Allow 5 minutes for the exam.
• Consult the MDCT Exam Guidelines for more information.

Spine MDCT
Evaluates spinal column damage due to injury, detects tumors and fractures.  

Preparation

• Continue to take your routine medications.
• No preparation is necessary.
• Please notify the technologist if you are pregnant or could be pregnant.
• Allow 10-15 minutes for the exam.
• Consult the MDCT Exam Guidelines for more information.    

MDCT Exam Guidelines

Preparation

• Prior to your scheduled appointment, Washington Imaging Services (WIS) will call you to discuss specific instructions, review your health and insurance information and answer any questions.
• For your convenience, print out and complete the appropriate Patient Forms, including Patient Registration and Patient History. Bring them with you to your appointment.
• Follow the specific preparation instructions listed above for your particular type of MDCT exam. These may include consuming a pre-exam barium sulfate solution, dietary restrictions and/or instructions on drinking fluids. Take your medication as usual (unless your physician has given you other instructions).
• If you’ve had an allergic reaction to a contrast agent in any prior imaging exam, please notify our staff before your appointment.
• Leave your valuables at home. All jewelry and any metal objects must be removed prior to the exam.
• Wear comfortable clothing without zippers, snaps or metal buttons. Or, you may change into a hospital gown or scrubs after arriving.
• Please notify the technologist if you are pregnant or could be pregnant.
• Please bring all relevant prior examination films or studies (CT, MRI, ultrasound, x-rays, etc.) with you on the day of your exam.
• Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your exam.  

What to Expect During the Exam

• The technologist will help position you comfortably on a cushioned table. The table top will move through a gantry (shaped like a big donut) that has an x-ray tube on one side and an arc-shaped detector mounted on the opposite side.
• During each full rotation, a fan-shaped x-ray beam is passed through your body and an image of a thin section is acquired. The detector records about 1,000 images or slices of the expanded x-ray beam per rotation.
• A computer reconstructs the slices into two-dimensional (cross-sectional) and/or three-dimensional images of your internal anatomy. Normally an entire scan can be done with a single breath hold.
• Some MDCT studies require a contrast material to enhance the visibility of certain tissues or blood vessels. The contrast is injected through an I.V. in your hand or arm. You may feel a warm, flushed sensation and experience a metallic taste in your mouth that lasts for a few minutes.
• You will receive special instructions if your exam requires you to consume an oral contrast agent in advance.
• Depending on the type of exam, your MDCT scan can take between 10-30 minutes.  

What to Expect After the Exam

• You may leave as soon as the exam is completed and resume normal activities.
• Your normal diet may be resumed.
• If you were given a contrast agent orally or by I.V., drinking plenty of water after the exam will help flush your system.
• Your imaging study will be interpreted by an OIA board certified radiologist who specializes in the area of the body being scanned.
• Your referring physician will receive a report and pictures detailing the findings of your exam within 24 hours. You should contact your doctor to discuss the results.