A CT scan must be requested by a heath care practitioner, so it’s important to speak to your doctor about whether it’s appropriate for you. Your personal medical history will determine whether or not a CT is recommended, such as how long you’ve had symptoms, how they affect your daily activities, and what other imaging exams, like an X-ray or ultrasound, indicated. In determining appropriateness, there are a number of questions you could discuss with your doctor. What are your treatment options? What outcomes could be expected for each option? How does a CT work? What are the risks? What happens if you don’t have a CT scan? Is a private CT an option? What happens after your CT?

If you are covered under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan, you are eligible for a CT scan through the public health care system. However, wait times can be long. You can choose to pay to have this same CT privately. Since treatment plans are most effective when there is a clear understanding of what is causing your symptoms, waiting for a CT can delay your return to health. It’s important to speak to your health care practitioner about your options.

The exposure to radiation from a CT scan is higher than that of standard X-rays, but the associated risk is still small. For example, the radiation exposure from one low-dose CT scan of the chest is the same as the exposure from the earth's natural background radiation over six months. In most cases, the benefits of a CT, such as the early detection of a serious illness, outweigh the small increased risk from radiation exposure. If your CT exam requires intravenous contrast, there is a small risk of allergic reaction to the contrast agent. Diabetes, asthma, heart disease, kidney problems, or thyroid conditions also increase your risk of a reaction to contrast.

A CT scan is very similar to an X-ray. You will be positioned on a table while the technologist adjusts the scanner. The technologist then leaves the room and the scan begins. These scans are painless. Depending on the type of exam, you may need an intravenous (IV) injection of contrast solution. On a few occasions, you may also be asked to hold your breath (for 10-15 seconds) to help obtain specific images.

Once your exam is complete, your images will be interpreted by a sub-specialized radiologist and a report will be sent to your referring physician, usually shortly after your test. If there are any concerning results, an urgent phone call or fax will be made to your referring physician. We do our best to have our radiologists interpret the information and forward the results to your doctor in a timely manner. Your doctor will then discuss your results with you.

CT exams at Mayfair Diagnostics are provided as private pay exams and are not covered by Alberta Health Care. The cost for a CT scan depends on the body part being scanned and whether or not contrast solution is required. For exact pricing you will need to contact the Mayfair Diagnostics booking department (403-777-3000). Some corporate health plans have wellness dollars options that may cover the cost of your exam. Please speak to your health care practitioner, and possibly your employer’s HR department, to discuss your options.