We have received a request from your referring doctor for you to have a CT Arthrogram.  This leaflet is designed to give you some information about the CT scanner, to help you prepare for your scan and to give you some idea of what to expect when you attend.

Arthrogram means pictures of a joint after injection of contrast medium into it.  The pictures are taken using a CT scanner, an x-ray machine, which provides images of slices through the joint.

None.

If your appointment time is not convenient it is essential you contact the hospital department that you are attending (see telephone numbers above for CT Appointments immediately, so that a more appropriate time can be arranged.  This will enable us to reallocate valuable scanning time to someone else.

Yes.  The preparation may change.  Please ring the appropriate hospital departmentd (see contact details above for telephone numbers) and speak to a member of the medical staff, who will be able to advise you. (see next question also).

For further information, please click on the link below to read/print the document about the protocols for diabetic patients.

Yes - Metformin (Glucophage, Avandamet) is most commonly taken by diabetic patients to control blood sugar, but occasionally is taken for other conditions. 

If you are taking Metformin (Glucophage, Avandamet), your preparation for the procedure may change.  Please ring the department, as above, and speak to a member of staff, who will be able to advise you. 

Depending on the joint being scanned, you may be asked to undress and put on a gown.  The first stage of the test involves injection of the contrast medium.  This is performed in a different part of the x-ray department.  A special x-ray machine is used and the doctor (Radiologist) performing your examination will explain it before beginning.  After cleaning the skin with a sterilising solution and injecting some local anaesthetic, (see below) a needle will be inserted into the joint and the contrast medium injected.  Once the Radiologist is happy that the injection is satisfactory, the needle will be removed and you will be taken to the CT scanner.  You will be asked to lie on a couch that enters a fairly wide, short tunnel, the scanner, where the x-rays are produced. The scan will be performed by a Radiographer.

 Local Anaesthetic 

• Your radiologist will ask you to keep quite still while the injections are given
• You may notice a warm tingling feeling as the anaesthetic begins to take effect.
• Your procedure will only go ahead when you and your radiologist are sure that the area is numb.
• If you are not having sedation, you will remain alert and aware of your surroundings.
• Your radiologist is always near to you and you can speak to him/her whenever you want to.

The whole examination will take between 45-60 mins.

CT scanning of pregnant women should be avoided whenever possible.

If you think you may be pregnant it is very important that you tell the nurse or radiographer before your scan.  To avoid accidental irradiation, all females between the ages of 11 and 55 years are asked the date of their last menstrual period (LMP).  From this information X-ray staff will decide if there is cause for the CT examination to be postponed or if it is safe to continue.

Like all X-ray machines, a CT scanner produces potentially harmful X-rays.  Modern equipment is designed to keep the dose to patients as low as possible.  If your doctor has asked for a scan, then he or she will have decided that the benefit of having the information that the scan gives, is greater than the risk of the small dose of radiation.  Since X-rays can harm unborn babies, if you are, or could be pregnant, please tell the radiographer or nurse before you have the scan.  This is very important.

Your scan will be examined by the Radiologist who will interpret the pictures and prepare a report for your doctor.  You will be able to discuss the results when you are next seen in outpatients.

We advise that you do not drive immediately after a joint injection and you should make alternative travel arrangements.

If you need an ambulance you must ask your general practitioner’s surgery to arrange one, but you will need to give them three working day’s notice.  Please inform the department if you are arriving by ambulance as we will arrange your appointment time to fit with ambulance arrivals.

Should you have any suggestions or concerns, please make these known to the person conducting your examination, or by letter addressed to:

The Departmental Manager

Leazes Wing X-ray Department

Royal Victoria Infirmary

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE1 4LP

Tel: (0191) 282 5624                                              

The Departmental Manager

Main Xray Department

Freeman Hospital

High Heaton

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE7 7DN

Tel: (0191) 223 1012

All Newcastle Hospitals: Switchboard Tel: (0191) 233 6161

If you need to turn to someone for on-the-spot help, advice and support, please contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on:

Freephone 0800-032-02-02