Chest Xrays/Scans

[Ratatosk]

Our local clinic does chest Xrays on the CFers each year. At our CF clinic in the City last time, they mentioned doing a scan at our next appoinment. They said it'd take about an hour and they felt DS would be old enough to sit (Lay) still long enough to conduct the test. I think they said it involved inhaling a radioactive subsstance and then doing a scan of the small airways. Has anybody had a similar test done on themselves or their children. It didn't sound like an invasive test, just a scan or xray once the substance was inhaled.

See this is WHY I should bring a notebook along to my appointments instead of relying on my husband to remember everything while wrestling/entertaining a toddler. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> L

 

[Alyssa]

My kids have both had CT scans of the sinus and chest ~ I don't recall either of them inhailing anything. But that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. My daughter did have a "contrast" CT scan done and that was with an IV substance put in just prior to the scan. I don't remember for sure but she may have been told not to eat or drink for a short period of time prior to the procedure too, but my son's was not contrast so he didn't have to do anything different prior to the procedure.

If I were you I'd call the radiology department and ask them to look up the exact proceedure that was ordered for your child and then ask them to explain to you what to expect ~ I'm sure they will be happy to inform you (it makes things a whole lot easier on them when patients know what to expect too)

 

[anonymous]

My son is 3 and scheduled for a CT scan in July. The radiology dept. said to arrive prepared for sedation to be used so no solids that morning. They said the machine is a bit big/scary/close to the body and most toddlers are too squirmy in it to go without sedation.

 

[Ratatosk]

Wouldn't be until this Fall. I do recall them mentioning inhaling some sort of contrast/radioactive stuff and that the test is to study the small airways. L

 

[MOME2RT]

Reece had a contrast CT scan recently on his stomach....before getting the mickey button....he had to eat about 3 bites that had the liquid radiation on it (tasteless....idorless) They had to take like 150~200 pictures to see how slow/fst his tummy digested....he had to lay still for about 30 min...they put in a movie for him....& I got to stay right there by his side. Yes the machine IS big & scary for a toddler. The radiaologist told me that the toddlers do way better then the adults!! Reece did cough a few times but it didnt upset the pictures...HTH. Got the results right away. BUT then again this was for his tummy not lungs. (he didnt need any sedation)

He also had a CT scan on his lungs but it only lasted 60 sec. & he DID have to stay still for that....but he didnt need any sedation...thankfully...cuz they said that would last ALL day.

 

[anonymous]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>Ratatosk</b></i>

Our local clinic does chest Xrays on the CFers each year. At our CF clinic in the City last time, they mentioned doing a scan at our next appoinment. They said it'd take about an hour and they felt DS would be old enough to sit (Lay) still long enough to conduct the test. I think they said it involved inhaling a radioactive subsstance and then doing a scan of the small airways. Has anybody had a similar test done on themselves or their children. It didn't sound like an invasive test, just a scan or xray once the substance was inhaled.



See this is WHY I should bring a notebook along to my appointments instead of relying on my husband to remember everything while wrestling/entertaining a toddler. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> L</end quote></div>

Hi Liza

Our daughter has a scan once a year. I take it your son has never had one done before? The scanner that they used on her was very similar to one used in pregnancy. She didn't inhale any substance, they just used a dopler (think this is the correct word) on her belly. It wasn't invasive at all, she just wriggled like mad. She first had one done when she was 12 months old then another one when she was 2, but was a bit awkward because of her age as she didn't understand what they were trying to do. Just kept trying to push it off. They got the information they needed though. I hope I've not put you off cos it is ok, just be prepared for a lot of wriggling!

Charlotte<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif" border="0">

 

[anonymous]

Liza,
Did they tell you exactly what they wanted to do this test for? I mean how will it benefit your son? I am just curious as I also have a toddler and the docs have not mentioned this test. I know all clinics are different but I still would like to know what their reasons are for doing it and how does if benefit the child?

 

[anonymous]

The doctor mentioned it was to determine if small airways were affected, more accurate than a chest xray and more preferable in terms of zapping him with radiation (from the chest xray) Liza aka ratatosk

 

[anonymous]

Did some googling and came up with --- Radioaerosol Lung Imaging. Could that be what they're suggesting?

 

[thelizardqueen]

Well, I'm going for my first scan on satruday, and my nurse informed me that I won't need to inhale anything, or injest anything. She seems to think that I won't even need dye of any sort, but we'll see. She also said that if its just your lungs getting scaned, that it takes less then half an hour for the actual scan.

 

[anonymous]

I used to have this done every year as a part of my annual studies - they stopped having me do it a while back, not sure why.

Basically, you lay on a table in the open and the xray part of it comes over top above your chest. In the beginning, you inhale the radioactive stuff (it has a icky taste to it) and then you just lay there while the machine images you. You do have to be still, but basically what happens is that the little particales you breath in get carried into the parts of the lung that are being used.

As they do the test, the scan records like a movie - you can see the breathing motions and the little particales moving throughout the lung.

If I remember correctly, they do 4 scans: front (over chest), back (underneath), and both sides.

It measures your lung volume and how much of your lungs are actually getting oxygen. I guess like an advanced version of a pft.

--Wallflower 34 w/cf

 

[NoExcuses]

CFF is studying whether or not frequent CT scans cause increased rates of cancer in CF patients.

Initial reports are that they do. But like anything, there is a risk/benefit ratio (PICC lines can cause infection to the heart... bonches involve sedation..... antibiotics can cause renal/hepatatoxicity).

 

[dyza]

I had a ct scan on Monday, didn't inhale anything just laid back and holding breath, it only took maybe 15 mins, but there again I wasn't sqirmming around. The machine itself could be quite daunting to a wee one, its like a big white tyre, you could think up a story before hand about spacecrafts and have your kid as the pilot in the craft/scanner.

The scan on the stomach would be an ultrasound scan and that is to measure the size of the pancreas and liver, and to check for abnormalities, while Craig was getting his, both us and two nurses had to hold him down- one on each limb, not that it was sore, he just didn't understand what was happening

 

[Ratatosk]

When DS was in the NICU after his surgery, he started vomiting at about 3 weeks and they wanted to rule out an obstruction, so they did an Xray in which they put some radioactive stuff thru an ng tube and we all stood there and watched the stuff go thru his stomach, intestines -- was kinda cool. Turns out he picked up an instestinal bug. Bleah!