CT SCAN

A computed tomography or CT scan is a medical imaging procedure that uses x-rays and digital technology to create cross-section images of the body. It can make an image of every type of body structure at once. CT images provide greater detail than traditional x-rays, particularly of soft tissue and blood vessels. The CT scanner looks like a large doughnut and has a flat table that passes through the middle. You will be asked to lie on the table and will be moved through the opening in the gantry. At Sunshine Coast Radiology we have dose reduction software on all of our CT scanners to ensure the radiation dose is kept to a minimum.

How do I prepare for my appointment?

There are no specific requirements you need to do before your appointment.

What happens on the day?

You will be asked to fill in a questionnaire upon arrival. In some instances, you will also need to change into a gown. You will be asked to lie on the table and our Radiographer will position you for the scan. The Radiographer then moves into the next room to a control console, but they can talk and listen to you via a microphone and can see the whole procedure through a window.

Sometimes you will need an injection of a special dye (called contrast) which helps the Radiologist to visualise vessels and internal organs in certain cases. The radiographer performing the examination will go through the steps with you before the scan. Please tell the staff if you have had any form of reaction to the contrast before.

How long is the procedure?

The actual scan usually takes only a matter of seconds. However, the examination can take between 10 and 20 minutes to complete – this includes the radiographer explaining what is going to happen, positioning on the table and setting up for the contrast injection (if that is required).

When can I get my results?

The images obtained during the examination are provided to one of our Radiologists who interprets these and provides a written report to your doctor or healthcare provider.

Which clinic can I attend?

Rockhampton
QTV House, 5 Aquatic place, North Rockhampton, QLD, 4701
Rockhampton Hospital
Canning Street, Rockhampton, QLD, 4700, AU
Gladstone
13 Dawson Rd, Gladstone, QLD, 4680, AU.
Gladstone Hospital
Park Street, Gladstone, QLD, 4680, AU.
Capricorn Coast Hospital
8 Hoskyn Drive, Yeppoon, Qld, 4703.
Emerald Hospital
69 Hospital Road, Emerald, QLD, 4720, AU.
Hillcrest Hospital
4 Talford st, The Range, QLD, 4700, AU.

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Pricing Information

Most medicare eligible examinations are bulk billed. Fees may apply for some procedures. Our friendly reception staff will advise you on the cost of your procedure at the time of your booking.

Other CT Procedures

CT Fluoroscopy

CT-Fluoroscopy enables our radiologist to perform difficult and interventional procedures with more accuracy. Screening studies, or fluoroscopy, are a specialised type of medical imaging in which x-rays act a bit like a video and are used in real time and show movement. Fluoroscopy studies include examinations like barium swallows, meals, and enemas and arthrograms. The preparation required for these procedures will be discussed by our friendly reception staff upon booking an appointment. Our team of radiologists, radiographers and nurses will discuss exactly what will happen in detail on arrival for the appointment.

Dental (Dental CT, Dentascan, Cone Beam CT)

CT Dentascans are a specialised scan of the teeth using special computer software. It allows assessment and position of impacted teeth prior to any possible surgery. It also provides assessment for dental implants allowing the specialist to accurately plan and measure the exact position of the implant. Sunshine Coast Radiology offers CT Dentascans on all our CT scanners.

Where can I have this done?
A CT dentascan can be done at all of our practices with CT scanners.

Is there any preparation?
There is no preparation needed for this scan.

Who can refer patients for a CT Dentascan?
Any doctor, dentist or orthodontist may refer a patient for a CT Dentascan, however, Medicare will only provide a rebate for scans referred by a specialist doctor or orthodontist.

What to expect at your appointment?
You will be asked to arrive 15 minutes prior to your scan to complete all necessary paperwork. When that is done, the Radiographer will take you through for your scan. You will need to remove any metal from in or around your mouth, this will include plates or dentures and all jewellery. You will be asked to lie on your back on the CT table and the radiographer will position your head so it is straight. You will also be asked to bite on a small block to keep your teeth separated.

How long does the scan take and when will my Doctor have the results?
The scan itself takes only a few seconds but the whole procedure of getting ready takes 10-15 minutes. Your specialist or dentist will receive a report within 24 hours. Sunshine Coast Radiology has specialist dental radiologists who do all our dental imaging reporting.

Cone Beam CT (CBCT)
Cone Beam CT is a relatively new technique, which is mainly used to assess the jaws and teeth. Its main advantage compared to OPGs and other dental x-rays is that it provides three-dimensional imaging (similar to conventional CT), but with a lower radiation dose.

The procedure is similar to having an OPG. You will be asked to stand with your chin resting on a small support shelf to provide accurate positioning.
The scanner will move around your head in approximately 15 seconds and from this speed, three-dimensional image reconstructions will be created. Our dental radiologist will then send a detailed report to your referring doctor. All the image data will also be provided on a disc to you for the dentist or specialist who referred you. This data can be used with other software, for example, for implant planning.

Is there any special preparation required?
No special preparation is required, but you will be required to remove any jewellery or metallic items from the head and neck region, including any piercings, hair accessories, dentures and dental plates. Dentists or specialists may provide patients with a special plate to wear during the scan - please bring this to the appointment.

Locations where we offer Cone Beam CT:

• Sunshine Coast Radiology - 60 Wises Road Maroochydore

CT Colonoscopy

A CT virtual colonoscopy is an examination of the large bowel.

Is there any preparation?

You will be asked to prepare for this scan in a similar way to preparing for a colonoscopy. Our trained booking staff will inform you exactly what is required.

What to expect at your appointment?
You will be asked to arrive 15 minutes prior to your scan to complete all necessary paperwork. When that is done, the Radiographer will take you through for your scan and explain the procedure thoroughly to you. You will then be asked to change into a gown. You will need to remove any jewellery from the area being scanned. In most cases you will be given an injection of a medication called Buscopan, which will help the bowel relax, allowing for better images to be attained.

How long does the scan take and when will my Doctor have the results?
The scan itself takes only a few seconds but the whole procedure of getting ready takes 15-20 minutes. Your Doctor will receive a report within 48 hours.

Cardiac CT

What is a Cardiac CT?

We offer two cardiac imaging services

CT calcium scoring (CACS)
CT cardiac angiography (CTCA) Cardiology Consulting Service

Sunshine Coast Radiology offers a unique Cardiologist consulting service, the only one on the Sunshine Coast. Our partnership with Dr Mark Johnson, Cardiologist from Sunshine Coast Heart Specialists at the Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital (SCUPH) allows GP’s to refer their patient for a CTCA and Cardiologist consult. If you are a patient, you will see Dr Johnson at his rooms at SCUPH prior to your CTCA scan. You will have the scan at our Warana rooms, where Dr Johnson will review the images, advise the results and any further tests or treatments that may be required.

CT Coronary Angiogram

A CT coronary angiogram (CTCA) is a non-invasive imaging study used to evaluate the coronary arteries.

Is there any preparation?
Yes. As you will be having an injection of the x-ray contrast, you will be asked to have no food for 2 hours before but you may keep drinking water. It is good to have a slow and steady heart rate for this scan, so you will be asked to not smoke, consume any caffeine (this includes tea, coffee, sports/energy drinks, coca cola, chocolate etc.), take any Viagra, Chialis or Levitra, or exercise for 24 hours prior to the scan.

What to expect at your appointment?
You will be asked to arrive 15 minutes prior to your scan to complete all necessary paperwork. When that is done, our cardiac nurse will take you through to check your blood pressure and heart rate. As we need a low steady heart rate for the scan, sometimes it is necessary to give you a medication called metropolol and our Radiologist will discuss this with you. If we give you some metropolol, it takes up to an hour to take effect. When your heart is slow enough to do the scan, the Radiographer will take you through for your scan. You may be asked to change into a gown. You will need to remove any jewellery from the area being scanned. You will need to lie on the CT table and the radiographer will put a cannula in your arm for the x-ray contrast and connect you to an ECG. The scan is triggered a certain point in your heart beat to help get better pictures. When the scan is all finished you will be able to get changed and have a tea or coffee. If you have been given some metropolol, you will need to wait for approximately 30 minutes before you are allowed to leave.

How long does the scan take and when will my Doctor have the results?
The scan itself takes only a few seconds but the whole procedure of getting ready takes 15-20 minutes. Your Doctor will receive a report within 48 hours.