Prepare
Your Scan
Medical scans can feel unfamiliar and sometimes frightening. Live, Onward provides clear, accessible information to help you understand what your scan involves, how to prepare and what may happen afterwards.
Your hospital or imaging department's specific preparation instructions always take priority over general information provided on Live, Onward.
Preparing for Your Scan
Prepare
MRI Scan: What to Expect
Having an MRI scan? Consultant Radiologist Dr Prashant Bamania explains what happens before, during and after an MRI, including preparation, noise, contrast and claustrophobia.
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CT Scan: What to Expect
Having a CT scan? Consultant Radiologist Dr Prashant Bamania explains how CT works, what happens during the scan, contrast dye, radiation and when you may receive your results.
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Ultrasound Scan: What to Expect
Having an ultrasound scan? Consultant Radiologist Dr Prashant Bamania explains how ultrasound works, how to prepare, what happens during abdominal and pelvic ultrasound, and when you may receive your results.
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MRI With Contrast: What to Expect
Having an MRI with contrast? Consultant Radiologist Dr Prashant Bamania explains what gadolinium contrast is, why it is used, kidney safety, allergic reactions, pregnancy, breastfeeding and what to expect.
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CT With Contrast: What to Expect
Having a CT scan with contrast? Consultant Radiologist Dr Prashant Bamania explains iodinated contrast, what the injection feels like, allergy risk, kidney safety, metformin, thyroid conditions, pregnancy and breastfeeding.
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Claustrophobia and MRI: What Can Help?
Worried about claustrophobia during an MRI? Consultant Radiologist Dr Prashant Bamania explains what can help, including preparation, breathing techniques, wide-bore scanners, music and communication.
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MRI and metal implants
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Can I have an MRI with a pacemaker?
Coming SoonPrepare
Why do MRI scans make so much noise?
Coming SoonPrepare
Radiation from CT — should I worry?
Coming SoonPrepare
What happens after my scan?
Coming SoonPrepare
Why can scan results take time?
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Who looks at my scan?
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Understand Your Scan
Brain
What Does a Stroke Look Like on CT?
Why an early CT can look normal, and what the scan is really being used for.
Read ArticleWhat does a brain tumour look like on MRI?
Coming SoonWhat are white-matter changes?
Coming Soon
Chest
What is a lung nodule?
Coming SoonWhat Does Lung Cancer Look Like on CT?
What does lung cancer look like on a CT scan? Consultant Radiologist Dr Prashant Bamania explains nodules, masses, spiculation, ground-glass lesions, lymph nodes, PET-CT and why CT cannot diagnose cancer by appearance alone.
Read ArticleWhat does pneumonia look like on CT?
Coming SoonWhat is pulmonary fibrosis?
Coming SoonWhat is a pulmonary embolism?
Coming SoonWhat is a PET-CT?
Coming SoonWhat is a lung biopsy?
Coming Soon
Musculoskeletal
What does an ACL tear look like on MRI?
Coming SoonDisc bulge vs disc herniation
Coming SoonWhat does arthritis look like on MRI?
Coming SoonWhat is bone marrow oedema?
Coming Soon
Heart
What is coronary calcium?
Coming SoonCT Coronary Angiography: What It Shows and What to Expect
Having a CT coronary angiogram? Consultant Radiologist Dr Prashant Bamania explains how cardiac CT looks for coronary artery disease, how to prepare, contrast, beta blockers and what your results may mean.
Read ArticleWhat does coronary artery disease look like on CT?
Coming SoonWhat does an enlarged aorta mean?
Coming Soon
Vascular
What is CT angiography?
Coming Soon