The Colon Club

What is your typical CT scan experience?
I am six years into this journey and have had probably 24 of them, all basically the same procedure. Last Thursday was odd though.

Normal two passes followed by the contrast injection. Then a very long wait before the third pass, another long wait. I’m positive there was more contrast added as I felt the warm sensation again. Then a fourth pass and sent on my way. I’ve only ever had one pass after the contrast in all my other scans. What is normal when you have scans?

Worst part is the results are not in the portal, and, I got a phone call from the oncologist three hours after the scan telling me my review appointment had to be changed from the 23rd to Dec 4th. That’s a long time to wait…



I know, I still haven't updated my signature...Liver mets in 2020, resection in 2021.

When I had a CT i just drank the contrast dye and that was it

I’ve had many, many scans, with good results and bad. As you judged, this experience does not sound typical. I’ve not had that happen, at least. That doesn’t necessarily mean that it was a bad scan, of course. They may have wanted to look more closely at something that turned out to be benign, for example. Or had technical issues. You also say “it’s not on the portal,” but is that inconsistent with past experience? One might say the apparent double contrast is concerning, but delay goes the other way—most health care practices expedite reports that show disease.

It’s generally not a great idea to get too into your head about these. I understand the stress/anxiety, of course, and I’ll admit to “reading the techs” on the way out ; )
One option here would be to call the oncologist and ask that the result be uploaded (if you feel comfortable reading it without full explanation). Or you could resolve simply to wait until the 4th. But once you decide, try to rest easy, as it will be out of your hands.

Sorry that’s not too helpful, but these are difficult, subjective, personal decisions. Good luck!

Indeed my experience is the same as yours - one quick pass pre-contrast, one during, and one after.

However on balance I’d say it’s more likely that they didn’t get the image quality that they needed on the pass - perhaps there was some movement, or an issue with the machine etc. It’s unlikely (IMO) they would do a 4th pass simply because there was something ‘bad’ on the scan. The main focus of the rad techs is getting a quality image according to what’s ordered.

I did have them repeat a liver MRI pass once because (as they told me) they cut the scan off a bit early, and wanted to make top of the organ was fully imaged.

Good luck for results.

Funny coincidence - I had a CT this morning and they did a 4th pass - I asked the radiographer about it and he said it was a “delayed scan” done 3-4 mins after administering the contrast, as part of “triple phase imaging” of my liver (which the radiologist wanted apparently). Not sure if this helps you or not.

Thanks for the responses everyone. Still nothing in the portal and this is not normal. I usually see results within two days, sometimes even same day.

Just some further comments on my situation. Pagola 44 I was given oral contrast in all my scans prior to starting chemo, it has been through IV injection since then. Not that fond of needles but honestly it is much preferable to drinking the contrast.
roadrunner, I'm of two minds about asking for the results. I am very comfortable reading the results prior to meeting with my oncologist that way I know what is going to be discussed and what I should be asking about. I can't change anything by knowing the results sooner but I can be more prepared. I'm just obviously thrown by the change in procedure this time.
Rock_Robster, what a coincidence that you would have the same "extra pass" that I had. It's always been two through the machine, add contrast, wait for the warm sensation, and then another pass.

I'll post the results when I get them. I hope everyone has good scan results today and forever.

Typically one pass after the contrast, but there have been pauses in some when they take additional images. Never with more contrast though.