Pediatric Patients > CT Scan

Computerized Tomography (CT) is offered in both Port Orchard and Silverdale. CT uses x-rays to make images, which are turned into “slices” of the body by a computer. CT scanning is painless. Depending on the part of the body being scanned, contrast media, sometimes called dye, may be used. This contrast can improve the visibility of organs and structures otherwise obscured.

At the Silverdale location is a state-of-the-art Philips 64-slice scanner. This new technology can acquire 4000 images in 10 seconds. It allows for 3-D reconstruction and allows your doctor to see images of your internal organs and structures, including heart and cardiovascular system, in great detail from a variety of angles. This is the most advanced scanner currently operational in West Puget Sound.

AMI also offers 16-slice CT at our Port Orchard location.  Our new Philips Brilliance CT shows detailed imaging of internal organs, bone, soft tissue and blood vessels at the same time.  It is a fast, painless and easy imaging for children.

• AMI's commitment to high quality imaging led us to be the first in the county to offer spiral (or helical) CT, allowing evaluation from head to toe.
• AMI offers Renal Colic CT exams, which are used to look for acute kidney stones, rather than performing an IVP which takes much longer and requires an injection of contrast (dye).
• Common applications of CT are the evaluations of the head, neck, chest, abdomen, and pelvis; but CT is also used for many other conditions, including complex or subtle bone fractures, tumors, CT-guided liver or lung biopsies (which can eliminate the need for surgery in order to have a biopsy performed), lumbar myelography, etc.
• AMI has been awarded accreditation in CT as the result of a survey by the American College of Radiology. This award is given to facilities for the achievement of high practice standards after a peer-review evaluation of the practice.

NPO 4 hours prior to examination. Sedation may be required. Oral contrast for CT may be mixed with juice or pop, preferably juice (try placing contrast into pop can and having patient drink from straw; if all else fails, patient may need nasogastric tube). Contrast should be given between at least 45 minutes prior and no later than 120 minutes prior to initiating scanning, with consistent, slow administration. CT oral contrast volumes: <6 months, 4 oz; 6 months to 3 years, 8-16 oz; 4 years to 11 years, 16-32 oz as tolerated; >=12 years, 32 oz as tolerated.