CT Scanning

24 hours / 7 days a week we offer a targetted CT service on a consultant order basis

Clinical Pathway

CT Procotols

CT Brain

Details

Non-contrast standard CT scan of the brain offering detail of intracranial parenchyma and bony detail of the skull.

Scans thought to require contrast should be discussed with a radiologist

Indications

• Signs or symptoms suggesting intracranial pathology

• Suspected intracranial haemorrhage

• Suspected infarction or ischaemia of the brain or brainstem

• Seizures

• Suspected or known hydrocephalus or other cause of raised intracranial pressure (including for surveillance)

• Reduced or fluctuating conscious level (including anaesthesic related)

• Investigation of an infectious disease

• Trauma to the head or eyes (including iatrogenic)

• Investigation and surveillance of medical devices or other foreign object

CT Chest

Details

COVID-19 is primarily a disease of the chest. This protocol has been designed to offer high quality imaging of the lung parenchyma, pleural spaces, mediastinal structures and pulmonary circulation. It is useful in the surveillance of disease severity and imaging of chest based complications.

If abdominal complications are also in question please consider the CT Body protocol which includes this chest series as well as the abdomen/pelvis in the correct portal venous phase.

• High resolution non-contrast volumetric chest CT

• Pulmonary angiography with coverage range down to SMA

Indications

• Investigation and surveillance of infectious diseases limited to the chest

• Investigation and surveillance of pneumonia, pneumonitis and associated chest complications

• Investigation and surveillance of respiratory and cardiac failure

• Suspected thromboembolic disease

CT Body (Chest, Abdomen, Pelvis)

Details

This special examination has been designed with the COVID-19 intensive care patient in mind based on evidence emerging on the typical complication profile. The scan covers the entire trunk in several contrast phases and is the recommended catch-most examination for intensive care COVID-19 patients requiring any body imaging.

• High resolution non-contrast volumetric chest CT

• Pulmonary angiography with coverage range down to SMA

• Portal venous (visceral enhancement) abdomen / pelvis

Indications

• Investigation and surveillance of infectious diseases of the chest and/or abdomen

• Investigation and surveillance of pneumonia, pneumonitis and associated complications

• Investigation and surveillance of respiratory, cardiac, and/or multi-organ failure

• Suspected thromboembolic disease (please note mesenteric angiography is not included in this protocol and would require special discussion with a radiologist)

• Investigation of the 'acute abdomen' with a suspected serious acute intra-abdominal illness potentially requiring surgical management including but not limited to

  • Ischaemia or infarction of an abdominal viscera

  • Intestinal obstruction

  • Cholecystitis

  • Appendicitis

  • Pancreatitis

  • Renal tract disease (including obstruction and stones)

  • Hepatobiliary conditions and complications

Other CT Scans

We encourage you wherever possible to stick to the provided catch-all CT protocols.

However, if you feel that a different CT protocol is required then it may be possible to accommodate your requirements following a discussion with the CT radiographers and/or the Radiologist.

Nightingale CT Protocols have been designed to provide a friction free, vetting free process to access CT essential scanning at the discretion of a Consultant Intensivist. Off pathway (off-piste) protocols may not be available round the clock and may need to be staged and scheduled during daylight hourse when a wider support team is available.

Some more complex examinations will not be achievable in the setting of the Nightingale field hospital.

CT scan requests don't need discussion with a radiologist but must meet these criteria

1. Selected from the short list of scans (below)

2. Referred by a Consultant Physician

3. Contain Adequate demographic details to meet a point of care 3-factor identity check and appropriate clinical history.

Requesting a CT Scan

To make a CT scan request, you must initially contact the CT radiographer to discuss your requirements.

Requesting checklist

• Referral must be made by an Consultant Physician

• Adequate demographic details must be provided to meet a point of care 3-factor identity check

• The following data must be provided in the referrers data set

  • Name of the referrer (and supervising consultant)

  • Ward and pod

  • Telephone number for point of contact (usually team leader)

Referrals cannot be processed by law if they fail to include adequate metadata

Transferring a patient to CT

To help you to understand the logistics around patient transfers for CT scanning, take a look at our CT scanner page 👇👇

CT Scanner