How does a scan work?

You'll lie on a bed that moves in a wide ring, usually on your back and alone in the examination room; we'll be able to communicate with you via a microphone. The team is right next to you, behind glass. They can see and hear you throughout the examination. If necessary, they can intervene at any time.
Depending on the area being examined, your arms will be at your side or behind your head. The examination is generally rapid. Your cooperation is important: you should try to remain still; in some cases, we'll use the microphone to tell you when to stop breathing for a few seconds. You will stay in the scanner room for an average of 10 minutes. Some examinations require an intravenous injection, usually at the elbow, or a drink.

As far as patient irradiation is concerned, no risk has been demonstrated, given the low doses used and the precautions taken to limit the area examined to the strict minimum. By way of example, a single x-ray corresponds on average to the average natural exposure (sunlight) experienced during a 4-hour plane journey.
However, for pregnant women, precautions must be taken systematically: that's why it's important to let us know if you might be pregnant.

Some people with an allergic background may be exposed to an exacerbation of their symptoms when contrast media is injected. To limit the risk, premedication is recommended. In all cases, you should discuss your condition before the examination. If you have a history of severe allergy, in particular a history of facial edema (Quincke's type) or giant urticaria, following an injection during a previous radiological examination, NO injection will be carried out. On the other hand, no cross-allergy has been proven. Just because you can't stand oysters or strawberries doesn't mean you're more at risk of developing an allergy than others.

Some examinations, notably chest scans, require the patient to undress, at least the top, for better examination quality. Generally speaking, to undergo a CT scan, it is advisable to undress. This technology differs from MRI, an examination for which the patient is not asked to undress.

Follow the instructions carefully; your cooperation is essential to ensure that images are not blurred. If you feel any pain during the injection, report it immediately.

Some tests require an empty stomach for proper analysis. This will be explained to you when you book your appointment. In this case :

• Do not swallow solid food for 4 hours before the appointment.
• You should continue to take all your medications as usual.
• A small snack (a coffee and a cookie in the morning) is still allowed.
• But unless otherwise indicated, drink water as usual.

Iodine-based products that are opaque to X-rays will be used. The type of iodine used and the way it is administered will be adapted to your particular case by the radiologist. This choice will depend in particular on the information on your state of health that you provide before the examination.
In the vast majority of cases, you won't feel any pain. However, in the case of intravenous injections, it is not uncommon to feel a sensation of heat at the moment of injection, or a strange taste in the mouth.

If you are pregnant, X-rays should be avoided as far as possible to limit exposure of the foetus.
A CT scan may, however, be prescribed by your doctor in very specific cases, in particular to assess the size of the pelvis in the last trimester before delivery, to help the obstetrician-gynecologist decide between a vaginal delivery or a Caesarean section. This is known as pelvimetry or pelviscanner, and is performed with very low doses of radiation. In other cases, it must be discussed on a case-by-case basis.
If you may be pregnant, or if in doubt, you must inform the medical team before the examination.

Injection is a very common procedure, usually perfectly tolerated. However, as with any medication, rare side effects may occur.
The sting may cause a small hematoma, which is not serious and will spontaneously heal within a few days.
During injection, pressure may cause the product to leak under the skin, into the vein. This complication is rare (one case in several hundred injections, generally without serious consequences), and may exceptionally require local treatment.
Injection of iodinated products may lead to an intolerance reaction. These unpredictable reactions are more frequent in patients who have already had a poorly tolerated injection of one of these products, or who have a history of allergy. They are generally transient and not serious.
They can be more severe, leading to cardio-respiratory problems and the need for treatment.
Truly serious complications are in fact extremely rare.
Renal accidents, also linked to the iodized product, are also possible, particularly in subjects suffering from diseases that weaken the kidney (chronic renal failure, diabetes with renal insufficiency, etc.).
Please inform us of any kidney problems before the examination.

Special procedures will be followed in the case of specific risk factors, which will be identified during the dialogue between you and the team. In all cases, if you think you may have a risk factor, you must mention it when you book your appointment.