thought this was interesting:

"This morning I went for CT scan I’d been waiting 16 months for
“Name & DOB”
"*************"
“Have you had anything to eat or drink in last 4hrs?”
“Breakfast, tea, coffee, water”
“We can’t scan you, it’s nil by mouth 4hrs before”
WTF
Letter doesn’t say that!"

NPO means "nothing by mouth" (nil per os), which is a common fasting requirement before a CT scan. You usually need to fast from solid food for 2 to 4 hours prior to scans that use intravenous (IV) or oral contrast dye to prevent nausea, though clear liquids like water are often allowed.

When Contrast Is Used (Contrast-Enhanced CT)

Intravenous (IV) Contrast (Iodine-based):

Cancer and tumors: To detect, stage, and monitor growths by revealing their unique blood supply.

Infections and inflammation: To spot appendicitis, diverticulitis, pancreatitis, and abscesses.

Vascular conditions: To check for pulmonary emboli (blood clots in the lungs), aneurysms, or dissections via CT Angiography.

Organ injury or bleeding: To evaluate visceral trauma or organ perfusion.

Oral or Rectal Contrast:

Gastrointestinal tract: Used (barium or water-soluble iodine like Gastrografin) to coat the stomach and intestines to check for leaks, fistulas, or wall breaks.

When Contrast Is NOT Used (Non-Contrast CT)

A standard unenhanced CT scan is preferred when natural contrast is enough or when dye poses a health risk:

Kidney stones (Renal colic): Stones show up clearly on basic X-ray density without dye.

Early stroke or head/spine trauma: To quickly identify acute internal bleeding or skull/spine fractures.

Routine lung evaluations: For basic lung nodule follow-ups, emphysema, or COPD screening.

Contrast allergies or severe kidney disease: When a patient's eGFR is too low or they have a history of severe allergic reactions to iodine.

if you are waiting for investigations double check.

they may send the wrong letter out.

if it is iv or oral contrast fast

i never realized how crippling indigestion was until a few years ago.

i have been bedridden all day, and only just mustered the will to go out and buy rennies.

i feel better now.

yeah medicine!

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