Patient

Purpose of the examination:
To examine the pelvic area to assess the scope of a prostate cancer and search for any possible metastases.

Experience:
In advance I was sent a leaflet telling me of what I would experience including advising me of the risk from the x-rays. On arrival at the radiology department I was looked after by a radiographer who asked me to sit in a waiting area where I was given one litre of a flavoured water containing a small quantity of contrast. I had to drink a cup full every quarter of an hour over a period of 11/2 hours.

This over, I was taken into the CT room, asked to take off my clothes and put on a gown. A radiologist explained what the examination entailed and started by giving me an injection into a vein in my arm. I then had to lay on the CT couch with a cushion under my knees for comfort. The couch was then moved with my feet going first, until my pelvis area was fully in the toroid. The staff retired to the control room, where they could see and hear me at all times.

The couch moved forwards slowly in steps, and images would be taken at each stop, making a slight whirring noise. The whole process was very uneventful and quite comfortable. On completion I got dressed and was asked if I already had an appointment to see the consultant. I had, and was told the images would be examined by the radiologist who would issue a report to the consultant within the next ten days.

Duration:
The scanning process took about 15 minutes but I was about two hours in the department.

Side effects:
Apart from the injection and having a full bladder, I felt nothing and had no side effects.

CT Scan - For Planning Radiotherapy

Purpose of the examination:
A special CT scan to aid radiotherapy planning for a patient with prostate cancer. The procedure was similar to that of a diagnostic CT except I was told the slices were narrower and the position of the bladder and rectum had to be clearly identified.

Experience:
I arrived at the radiology department and was asked to undress and put on a surgical gown and dressing gown. I was asked to sit in a waiting area where I had to gradually drink two pints of a coloured water based fluid, over a period of about half an hour. I was then taken into a small room where a radiographer inserted a quantity of a barium fluid into my rectum.

After waiting a further half an hour for my bladder to fill, I was taken into the CT scanning room and asked to lie down on the couch. A radiographer explained what the procedure involved, and ensured I was comfortable, with a cushion under my knees. The couch moved forward to position my pelvis within the toroid, whereupon the radiographer moved into the control room, having assured me that I would be seen and heard at all times.

The couch moved in several steps but I experienced nothing and just lay there looking at the decorative mobiles. The couch moved slightly forward in steps, but I was advised each time this would happen. On completion, the radiographer checked that I already had an appointment to attend the simulator, which I had for the next day.

When finished I was free to get dressed, go to the toilet and leave.

Duration:
The time spent on the couch was about 20 minutes, but the whole time spent in the department was about 1.5 hours.

Side effects:
There was no problem at all except for the normal concerns about controlling the need to go to the toilet.