CT Scan (Computed Tomography)

Also known as: CT scan, CAT scan.

What is a CT Scan?

A Computerized Tomography (CT) scan takes detailed pictures of the inside of the organs, tissues, blood vessels, and other areas not seen on regular X-rays. It is often used to diagnose certain conditions and plan for treatments.

Nicklaus Children’s hospital’s CT scanner uses a low dose of radiation.

• CT scans are not painful. The bed moves slowly through the tunnel and the camera remains around your child, never touching. A lot of children think the camera looks like a spaceship or doughnut!
• A CT scan takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes depending on the type of scan.
• In order to get the best results, it is very important that your child holds still for the scan.
• In certain cases, patients may be given a mild oral sedative to relieve anxiety and help with holding still. Patients who need stronger sedation (children younger than six to eight years old and some older children with developmental delays) will be re-scheduled for a future scan under general anesthesia.

Women who are pregnant and any accompanying children are not permitted to be in the room during the scan. If you are pregnant, please bring another adult who can stay with your child during the scan and/or another adult who can wait in the waiting room with the other children.

Key Aspects of the Siemens Flash CT Scanner

• New low dose CT significantly reduces the radiation dose in all head, neck, spine, chest, cardiac, abdomen and musculoskeletal studies in comparison with traditional CT scanners. High-quality multiplanar and 3D reconstructions can be obtained with no additional dose.
• In children with face, orbit or temporal bone trauma, new low dose CT has a radiation exposure similar to plain radiograph study, but with higher diagnostic accuracy.
• For sinus disease and craniosynostosis, new low dose CT has higher diagnostic accuracy at a similar radiation exposure to a plain radiograph study. Sedation is rarely required and scans are produced in seconds.
• Automated technology helps the technologist spend less time at the machine and more time with the patient.
• The large gantry and system design allows for excellent access and patient positioning.
• Consistent, high-quality images reduce need for re-scans.
• Equipped with the world’s first fully integrated Stellar detector, which enables low noise scans at low doses.
• New Siemens Flash CT has a lower radiation dose than conventional CT making it particularly appropriate for pediatric care.

Also shown is the program’s new Siemens Healthineers Biograph Vision™ PET/CT system. Nicklaus Children’s is the first pediatric facility in the Southeast to acquire this technology.

Preparing Caregivers:  What to expect during the CT Scan procedure

Step 1: Getting Ready

• From the Radiology Department waiting room, you will be brought to an exam room where your child will begin to get ready for the scan and be seen by a nurse who will take your child’s vital signs, and medical history.
• Please bring your child’s favorite toy or activity to provide distraction while in the room.
• Some CT scans may be ordered with “contrast” which is a special liquid-like substance that helps make the pictures from the scan more clear and detailed. 
• Medical staff will explain the type of contrast and how it will be administered the day of the appointment.
• Contrast can be given orally, or through an IV (small, plastic straw in the vein of the hand or arm).
  • Oral contrast may be mixed with flavored juice.
  • Drinking the contrast takes about 1-2 hours so it can pass through the stomach evenly.
  • IV contrast is done by placing a small, plastic straw in the vein (usually the hand or arm).
  • Numbing medication may be applied to make the IV placement as comfortable as possible.

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Reviewed by: Luisa F. Cervantes, MD

This page was last updated on: September 16, 2025 12:45 PM