Noun: CT Scan

A computerized tomography (CT) scan uses X-rays and a computer to create detailed images of the inside of the body

 

This is possibly one of many scans you will have along your journey.  Of all of the scans, this is probably the quickest and easiest from a patient perspective, taking only about 5-10 minutes.

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Sometimes they ask you to drink a few litres of a barium solution beforehand.  It is fairly bland in flavor when you drink your first cup full, but as you work your way through it, it becomes a bit unpleasant.  Sometimes they inject you with a contrast dye, so that they can read more from the images.  An IV line will be set up in your arm and then they remotely trigger the injection part way through the scan.  For some reason this contrast dye gives you a warm feeling in the back of your throat, and between your legs.  If you are not expecting it, it feels like you have peed yourself!