The CT scanning department at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital is a fast-paced dynamic department.
We provide outpatients appointments, Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm, and Saturday and Sundays 8am – 6pm. Our EDCT scanner provides a 24-hour service from Monday to Sunday, including Bank Holidays.
We have four GE CT scanners located on site, including a new state of the art GE Frontier CT scanner in the emergency department.
A CT scanner uses x-rays to give us detailed images of the inside of your body.
The data gathered from the scan can be used to produce 3D images of certain body parts, for example blood vessels, organs or a particular bone. CT scans are useful for looking at bones, lungs, organs, and blood vessels. CT scans are used to look at a wide range of conditions and pathologies.
As with x-rays, CT scans use radiation. The level of radiation used is very small and the benefits of the scan have been judged to outweigh the risks.
Radiographers are trained to keep your dose as low as is reasonably practical. You can find more Information on x-rays on the NHS website page.
Please read your appointment letter carefully for guidance on which location to come to, the arrival time and any advice on preparation before your scan. We advise were possible, to wear comfortable clothing and remove jewellery and metal clothing such as underwired bras and belts from the area you are having scanned. A member of our team may ask you to change into a hospital gown.
As part of the CT scan you may need a contrast injection. This will require you to have a cannula sited in your vein in your arm. A contrast liquid called Omnipaque® will be injected into a vein in your arm through the cannula. This will allow us to see your blood vessels during the scan and will provide clearer pictures for your doctors. Using contrast does not usually cause any problems for patients. However, some people can experience side effects. The most common side effects are a general sensation of warmth in your body and/or a metallic taste in your mouth during the contrast injection. Examples of other possible side effects include nausea, vomiting, headache, high or low blood pressure or diarrhoea.
If you have any questions or require further information on the side effects of the contrast, please ask the radiographer before your scan.
It is very important that you complete the safety questionnaire that is provided with your appointment letter and detail any allergies you have. (If you do not receive one this can be completed on the day).
Occasionally if you are having a contrast enhanced CT, there is a small risk that the injection of contrast can leak out under the skin instead of in the vein. If this does happen then further advice will be given to by the radiographer and radiologist at the time of the CT.
The referring doctor may send you for a blood test prior to your CT scan to check your kidney function.
If you have diabetes and are taking Metformin, (Glucamet/Glucophage) please do not take on the day of your scan, the radiographer will tell you what to do with this medication after the scan. Continue with all other medication.
If you are currently breastfeeding, you can continue to do so, after the injection of contrast media. A very small percentage of the injected dose enters the breast milk but virtually none is absorbed across the gut of the infant. No special precautions are required and you can carry on breastfeeding as normal. This information is from guidance provided by The Royal College of Radiologists. If you are concerned, you can discard breast milk for 24 hours after the injection.
Please feel free to ask the radiographer any questions before your scan.
You will be asked to lie down on the scanner table, it is important to keep still during your scan, it will normally last, five to ten minutes depending on the particular CT examination. The first scan we take gives us an overview of your body, from this we plan the ‘main scans’ . If you are having the contrast injection then you will have this during the main scan. The radiographer will leave the room whilst the scan is taking place. They can still see you on a monitor. The scanner has a microphone built into it, so you can communicate with staff and the radiographer can communicate with you.
If you are anxious about going into the CT scanner, it is important to remember that the CT scanner is wider than an MRI scanner, is NOT a tunnel and acquiring the scans takes less time. Please see the photos provided of the CT scanners at the hospital.
Please be aware the department is not able to give any medication to help reduce anxiety. This will need to be prescribed in advance by your doctor.
Should you have any doubt about your examination please contact the CT department.
If you have had an injection of contrast we will ask, you to remain in the department for 15 minutes to check you are feeling okay before you are go home. The cannula will be removed before you leave the department.
A radiologist, (a doctor trained in interpreting scans and X-rays), will report your CT scan, it may also be discussed with other specialists. The radiographer will not be able to tell you any results on the day of the scan. The radiologist will send a report to the doctor who arranged the scan; they will discuss the results with you. It is important to follow-up with your referring doctor to discuss your CT results and determine any necessary next steps.
01582 718154 between 8:30am–5pm Mon – Fri
We experience a high volume of phone calls, so if possible please email LDH-queriesimaging@nhs.net and your query will be answered.
The Hospital is situated just off junction 11 of the M1 Motorway.
We are located on site, at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital, please refer to your appointment letter for the exact location.
Main CT is located on the first floor of the Imaging department in the medical block, EDCT is located on the ground floor and External CT is located in Zone D.
The Imaging department is situated on the first floor of the Medical Block.
There is a carpark in opposite the main entrance in the Lewsey Road. There is a charge for parking.
