is ct scan dangerous, heard they have to inject something in the spine and is it very painful?

Answer 1

A CT scan is typically just you sitting in a tube like thing and getting pictures taken of your brain. It's a little scary, but not too bad.

If you need a contrast CT, the medicine is usually taken orally or via IV. The IV is *typically* through your arm - not your back, but that's not saying that a spine puncture is not an option. There is also contrast delivered rectally, so be prepared for that.


You can't be allergic to shellfish because of the iodine they use may have crossreactivity in those with shellfish allergies.

A CT uses radiation, so technically it's not great for you, but it's not an amount that creates risks that outweigh the results.

Answer 2

The only time you would get an injection into your spine is if they are doing a CT myelogram of the spine. Those are not done very often anymore. The contrast would be injected under direct visualization via x-rays. They are generally not very painful, as they numb the back first.

All other contrasts are oral or by IV (accessed via a vein usually in your arm, so it feels like a shot). The contrast can make you feel funny. Typical experiences are a hot/flushed feeling lasting less than 30 seconds after injection. Some people feel nauseated for a very brief time. In the last five years, I cannot remember anyone vomiting or getting hives in our facility because of a contrast injection, but it can happen. The IV contrasts have greatly improved in even the last 5 years. You could be given this contrast if you were having an exam of your brain, chest, abdomen or pelvis.

Oral contrast is taken by mouth to visualize your digestive system. You would need to drink this if you were having an exam of your abdomen or pelvis. Other than some people not liking the taste of this stuff, it is not harmful.

Answer 3

no it's not dangerous at all i had one not to long along and they did inject somthing in my spine but i also had a mylogram right before the ct scan so i don't no really if the injection was for the ct of the mylogram another time i had a ct scan i had an IV and the injected something into that. It does make you feel a little funny

Answer 4

A cat scan is not dangerous; it's basically a big X-ray. Injections may be used to place a radio-opaque subtstance to improve the contrast; typically a substance containing iodine is used. It is not dangerous. Where the injection is made depends on what the radiographer is interested in seeing; typically, it will be in the arm. If it is in the spine, yes, it will be painful.

Answer 5

CT scan is exposure to radiation, but not much to be too concerned about. Usually not diagnosing your problem is more dangerous.

CT myelogram (contrast in the spine) or fistulogram (contrast in the spine to see the fluid in the brain) is VERY uncommon now. Newer scanners have better technology and soft tissues of the spine are better diagnosed with MRI anyway.

The IV contrast IS dangerous. Allergic reaction is one possibility, although this is rare and treatable with benadryl (usually). The risk of contrast is to the KIDNEYS. In persons with diabetes, on certain medications or with already existing kidney disease, the contrast can cause rapid worsening of kidney function. This can be lessened if the radiologists know about it in advance, but the risk cannot be eliminated. I personally have seen patients with bad kidneys end up on dialysis from IV contrast.

Still, the risk of not being imaged is usually still higher, so just review these things with your doc and make your decision together.

Best of luck.

Answer 6

No one should be having doses of radiation unless there is a good reason so I assume that your doctors needed the information that these tests gave them. The individual risk for this would be quite low and it would only be dangerous if you were pregnant. If you are really worried then ask your doctor for information because radiation doses vary with the type of scan done (CT scans can be done at different resolutions which varies the radiation dose for example). If you go to a different hospital for treatment and investigations involving radiation are suggested then it would be perfectly OK to make sure that they know about your previous tests before deciding what tests are appropriate.

Answer 7

A CT Scan is a type of X-ray. You lay on a narrow seat type apparatus that seems to be contoured to fit your body and the technicians take pictures of your insides. There is no spinal injection, but you may have to drink a clear liquid for contrast.(so the pictures come out better)

Answer 8

CT scans are in now way dangerous.
As for the injections, not sure why they would inject something for a CT. Person who told you that was likely full of ****.

Answer 9

Very safe when compared to not being imaged. If your physican is calling for it, there are probably some things which must be seen. The contrast can be a little painful when they insert the needle into the spine.