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Before the CT Scan
Before a patient can undergo a CT scan, he or she must obtain a written referral
from their general physician stating why the patient requires the scan. The
patient will then undergo the CT scan at either a hospital or at an outpatient
radiology center.
Prior to the actual CT scan, some patients may require an injection of a contrast
material, such as barium, to increase visibility. This contrast material (also
sometimes called a contrast agent, or simply a “dye”) has a different opacity
than the soft tissues of the body, and will make the soft tissues “stand out”
on the CT images.
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