CT Scan today

[Robin67]

Hi all,

I had a chest CT scan today and they scanned me 3 times and said it was done. I asked if i could phone for the results and they said my results would not be given over the phone is this normal i am worried

[Hidden]

Yes normal, the consultant or your GP will discuss results with you when they have been screened by the specialist at the hospital radiologist not to be confused with the radiographer.

If you requested a copy at the hospital you should be sent one at the same time one is sent to your doctor (if going back to GP).

Its normal to wait for results, you can imagine how many CT scan done in one day - far more than those qualified to write the written report for it.

Hope your results are ok.

Best wishes

[Lee2k182]

Yes, totally normal. Reports need to be written by the radiologists after a thorough review of your CT scan. Depending on priority, this can be reported on in a day, a week or 2 weeks etc. And then there's the wait for your Dr to read and collate the report along with other tests (if any) before they get back to you. I didn't get my CT results for 4 weeks even though it was reported on the day of the scan.

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

Yes I had my scan on Sunday but have to wait for the results so please don't worry. Have a good night and take care 😊 Bernadette xx xx 🌈

[gillianTS]

Hi Robin67

Results are rarely given over the telephone however we are in different times right now with covid 19.

My recent CT scan, May, was reviewed by a radiologist and then referred to be reviewed again by the specialist lung radiologists who work with the chest clinic, I then received a telephone call from the consultant from the chest clinic who apologised and explained that it was highly unusual but explained the hospital department was not seeing any patients, due to the virus, and did not expect to until much later in the year, she discussed my results on the call and what the next steps are, including telling me further tests within the chest clinic would have to wait until everything is clear from the virus. I requested a copy of her clinical letter to my GP and referring consultant as well as the CT scan.

I have had in recent weeks 3 telephone consultations and I received a letter last week from my neurologist saying exactly the same but offering a video appointment.

It is usual for scan results to be sent to your GP too, my CT scan was sent by radiology, and then the follow up letter from the chest clinic. I always request copies of all my scans and clinical letters sent to GP etc. If I want copies of the scans themselves I have to apply for those direct to the hospital. Not sure who referred you for your CT scan but that is where the report will go back to.

Things I expect are running slightly behind at most, if not all, hospitals and I know from having my CT scan and a echocardiogram a few weeks ago that the hospitals are trying to get as much of the testing of patients done as quickly as possible, although the gastroenterologist who called me said my upper endoscopy would be much much later in the year, I think it depends on what test and in which department etc.

Hope it is not too long before you hear from someone.

[Hidden]

As per other replies, yes, completely normal. It’s possible you may end up being given the results over the phone by the consultant due to the covid situation, but you can’t phone for the results like you could for a blood test. Depending on how busy the analysing radiographer is, and the urgency of the request, I’ve seen official CT scan reports take anything from 2 days to 2 weeks to materialise, and on occasion waited longer still to actually get and discuss the outcome with a doctor. The only exception tends to be if done via A&E or as an inpatient, but that’s mostly because if you’re having a scan via A&E, they’re usually pretty worried about you, and when you’re an inpatient, most consultants are capable of reading scans in line with whatever their particular speciality is. Hope you get your results soon.

[Hidden]

Yes that's normal as usually you get your results at your next appointment with the consultant rather than on the phone.