info on CT Scan..especially on children (long)

[jacksonsmom]

my son (age 4) has to have a CT scan on his sinuses.

I am not sure what to expect or what to tell him. I would like to prepare him a bit.

Just a little background...my son has asthma, allergies & sinus problems.
His asthma is finally under control (yeah)
But he can not get rid of this sinus infection he has had since March!
As soon as he is done with his antibiotic, it comes right back.
Last month he was put on an antibiotic for 14 days. His asthma doctor said if it comes back to call her. Well, he finished it last Friday the 30th & by this past Wednesday he was stuffed up again.

So the ashtma/allergy doctor has him back on the antibiotic for 20 days & then he is scheduled for a CT scan on May 27th. (two days before we leave for WDW! YIKES!!!!)

The doctor wants to find out what is going on with this sinuses & depending what she finds, we may be heading to an ENT after this.

Really my son has been sick for 2 years, battling un-controled asthma & allergies (his regular doctor would not refer him to an asthma specialist basically saying "let's just wait it out")
It took 2 years of him being sick & countless doctor's appts before he finally got the referral.
Right away the asthma doctor said "He has asthma" Then we also found out he has allergies too (mainly outdoor along with dust mites too)

Anyway, I am so tired of dealing with this & I just want my little guy to be healthy & stay healthy.
I am hoping this CT scan tells us something.

So, back to my original question...what is a CT scan like? How to I explain it to him?

Thanks! Sorry for the long post

Kris

 

[luvmarypoppins]

So sorry to hear about your little guy. My middle ds has asthma and is on 3 meds daily, 4 allergy shots a week so I know what you mean, this has been going on for 6 years and the dr. refuses to cut his steroids back. But for your original question, our little ds had a cat scan. He had to have it of the intestines etc. They put him in a tunnel like machine, but it was pretty wide. I know this is not typical but he fell asleep during it because it was so late at night like 1 am and he had gone through alot that day. But maybe you can describe it in terms he would understand, like a slide tunnel at a park etc. Maybe you could practice staying in one for a while at a park, then say its time to come out now. I guess you would know how your child would handle it emotionally.I dont know how long the test would take. I was able to stay pretty close by the control board or whatever it was called. I was talking to him before I knew he was sleeping. Could you bring some music. Could they sedate him a little before hand if you think he would really freak out. It really didnt last too long. I dont suppose his will be like our sons. They also had to put some dye in him and I had to sign a paper like I knew he could go into cardiac arrest etc. What? I made sure I really talked to the cat scan tech before all this. He said he had all the meds to counteract anything right there. I know your son will not have to do that , I am not trying to scare you, I will pray for this to go well and ask lots of questions. You must be your sons advocate. Prayers and pixie dust. I am sure it will go well.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Sorry to hear all that about your little guy, Kris. Sure wish the PCP referred him a bit sooner, seems long. But at least you are now making progres.

I had a CT scan of my head about 2 years ago and it did not seem too bad, as the machine was small, (short depth) here is a link from doing a Google on 'CT scan' that might be of help to visualize. http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=ct+scan&btnG=Search My DW, Marie, recently had an MRI of breast area, and that machine was much longer, more confining, IMO, than a CT scanner for the head. This might help too. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=how+does+ct+scan+work&btnG=Search

My best for your guy, Kris, and you too. I bet he will do just GREAT. And only 3 weeks to go till WDW.

 

[jacksonsmom]

Originally posted by luvmarypoppins
But for your original question, our little ds had a cat scan. He had to have it of the intestines etc. They put him in a tunnel like machine, but it was pretty wide. I know this is not typical but he fell asleep during it because it was so late at night like 1 am and he had gone through alot that day. But maybe you can describe it in terms he would understand, like a slide tunnel at a park etc. Maybe you could practice staying in one for a while at a park, then say its time to come out now. I guess you would know how your child would handle it emotionally.

Thank you for your suggestions & telling me your experience.
I am pretty sure my son will not fall asleep. He isn't much of a sleeper & fights his sleep a lot.
I think I will use that slide tunnel idea.
Thanks!

Sure wish the PCP referred him a bit sooner, seems long. But at least you are now making progres.

Oh if only you knew the battles I fought with that doctor. It was a struggle. She would just treat the symptoms but just would not refer him to a specialist. She kept saying he might out grow it.
Unfortunitely, our insurance requires a referral from the PCP before seeing a specialist.
We also live in a fairly small town so there isn't many choices for doctors.
She kept telling me if he still has problems once he is 4 yrs old she will refer him. Finally he turned 4 & it still took 6 months after he turned 4 before she FINALLY agreed to refer him to a specialist.
btw--I love the specialist. She agreed he would have been in sooner & was sorry that some regular doctor's just don't get it.

Thank you for those links, Dan. I will be checking them out.

 

[Towncrier]

CT scanners have a very large bore to accommodate the abdomens of large patients. Plenty of room for your son's head. They will probably immobilize his head so that he keeps still during the scan using velcro straps. Unlike MRIs, CT scans are VERY quick. The preparation time will probably be longer than the actual scan.

Your son will be fine with the scan. I'll say a prayer for him and for you. I hope that the doctors find an explanation for his medical problems and that they come up with a solution.

 

[laurie31]

The CT scanner looks like a giant donut

A CT of the sinuses should not take long at all. Tell him they are only taking a picture, he will not feel anything. He just has to lie very still for just a little while. (Don't say it won't hurt because you will plant the idea in his mind that maybe it will). He may think the sliding table is cool and that sliding through the giant donut is cool, too. I hope everything goes well, and shame, shame, shame on your primary MD for not referring sooner!!

Laurie

 

[momof2inPA]

Has your son tried Singulair? That is approved to treat both sinus allergy and asthma problems. That and a year and a half of allergy shots have helped my son a lot, but he still gets stuffed up if we sleep with the windows open.

Good luck with the sinus CAT scan. I had one once, that resulted in my knowing my sinuses were bad, but I chose not to have the sinus surgery. Maybe they will be able to tell why your son keeps getting the infections.

 

[ahutton]

Another way to describe it would be to say it looks like a giant truck tire, hollow in the middle with nothing on either side. There is a table he will lay on, and it will roll like a mechanics thing that rolls under a car. It will roll into the middle of the tire. He'll here some clicking sounds and a kind of humming noise, and then they'll be done.

You might also find out if they are going to try some type of contrast solution or if there is something he'll have to take before the test to get him ready. My CT was for my abdomen and kidneys, and they used contrast die - you feel a flush of warm and then it is over and you are fine.

 

[Pembo]

I had a CT scan of my sinuses just 6 weeks ago. It was quick however I had to lay on my stomach with my face pointed front. That was the worst part, an uncomfortable position. It was very quick though. Good luck......

And when my dd, then 6 mo, had to have a CT I was told they could sedate her if necessary. They didn't have to but her CT very clearly shows her with her mouth open, screaming.

 

[phamton]

My son had polyps that caused never ending sinus problems and he also has asthma. I had a deviated septum (which we laughingly called a devious septum) which caused my never ending sinus problem. My sons polyps shrunk with medication and my "devious septum" was corrected by surgery.

 

[pjshaff]

My daughter just had a CT scan on her sinuses 2 weeks ago. We went to the local Children's Hospital here in Atlanta. Since she was 4 they gave us(mom & dad) a choice. If she could lie very still during the procedure, then they wouldn't have to sedate her.

When we went into the CT room, the CT operators were FANTASTIC. They had Mickey and Minnie Mouse dolls to show they children what they had to do. Minnie went through the CT machine and that was all it took. My daughter was a trooper and was still through the procedure, which took less than 5 min.

For her CT scan, it was made for 1:30 pm, she had to finish eating by 7:30am and could only have clear liquids until 11:00am. They gave her cookies and gatorade when she was done, and prizes too.


If you have any more ?'s, please ask away.

Pam

 

[jacksonsmom]

Originally posted by momof2inPA
Has your son tried Singulair?

Yes, he is on Singulair, Advair, Flonase & now augmentin.
He also has albuterol for an emergency.

His asthma is under control so that is the good thing.
Now we just have to figure out why we can't clear up his sinuses!

 

[jacksonsmom]

Thank you everyone for your experiences with this. I have been taking in every word you all have said with great interest.

I like all your ideas on how to describe the CT scan to him.

For her CT scan, it was made for 1:30 pm, she had to finish eating by 7:30am and could only have clear liquids until 11:00am. They gave her cookies and gatorade when she was done, and prizes too.

I wasn't told about any 'fasting' beforehand. Is that the norm?
The hospital called me to set up the day & time & they told me that I didn't have to do any prepping beforehand.
The only thing my son's doctor told me was no flonase (nose spray) 24 hours before the scan.
I wonder if I should call the hospital & ask about the fast?

 

[Towncrier]

Since your son is having his sinuses scanned, he shouldn't have to fast. But it wouldn't hurt to give them a call.

 

[jacksonsmom]

Originally posted by Towncrier
Since your son is having his sinuses scanned, he shouldn't have to fast. But it wouldn't hurt to give them a call.

Thanks. I will give them a call on Monday just to see what they say.
Better safe then sorry

 

[pjshaff]

I think they wanted the fast just in case they did have to sedate DD. I would call your Dr and also where you are going for the CT scan to make sure, as it was the Children's Hospital that told us about fasting when they called us to verify the appt.

If your child does have to fast, try and get the earliest appt. available, it makes for a less cranky child.


Pam

 

[dianeschlicht]

Has the doctor suggested him taking allergy shots? My asthma doctor says that is the best way to control asthma. Good luck!

 

[cadburysmom]

My son had a CT scan last year when he was 8. He had to fast that day and there was some confusion about whether he was to be injected with the dye and we had to wait until 2pm to get the CT....he was absolutely starving and I was furious. But.....it turned out ok because he thought the machine was really cool, something out of Star Trek and loved telling his friends at school all about it. My advice is to tell your son he will take a fun ride in a really cool machine that only SPECIAL people get to take.....it's totally true and he just might enjoy it!

So sorry to hear about your son's health problems......hopefully this will help....Good luck.....I'll say a little prayer for you both

 

[jacksonsmom]

Originally posted by dianeschlicht
Has the doctor suggested him taking allergy shots? My asthma doctor says that is the best way to control asthma. Good luck!

No, we have not talked about allergy shots yet.
I know she did say it might be an option if the oral meds don't help, but we haven't really talked in depth about them (yet)!

I will be calling the hospital/doctor tomorrow and ask about the fasting!

Thanks again every one

 

[MScott1851]

I'm pretty positive that a sinus CT will not require any fasting, nor will it require the IV contrast... Those are primarily for abdominal or pelvis CTs.

I usually try two or three approaches with my little patients... I either use the "Oh, look, it's like a spaceship ride!! The ramp slides back and forth and the lights light up! How COOL!" or "WOW! It's a Donut Slide!" Usually 4 year olds do pretty well, but there are always exceptions. If I were you, I'd tell the CT tech to suit you up with a lead apron, and stay in there with him if you are worried. The only drawback to this is that if you talk, he may turn his head or talk back to you, and he needs to stay really still. I always stay in the room with my patients and hold their little hands and tell them mommy is watching them on TV...they are not as likely to talk to me as they are to her.

Good luck and god bless you...at least you get a trip to WDW afterward to take it off everyone's mind!

P.S. If you are really against the sedation, and there are no rules against fasting, feed him a meal and give him Benadryl before hand...Full tummy + antihistamine often = sleepy child...Of course, let your doctor and CT tech know you did this. On the plus side, Benadryl is one of the meds they will give in case of allergic reactions, so you'll be one up on them! Just a thought!