Musculoskeletal computed tomography of the limbs
Bone and Joint CT Scan of the Limbs in Casablanca
A bone and joint CT scan of the limbs examines the bones and joints of the arm or leg: shoulder, collarbone, upper arm, elbow, wrist, hand, femur, knee, lower leg, ankle or foot. It provides thin slices of the bone, which can be reconstructed in any plane and in three dimensions. It helps analyze a complex fracture, monitor its healing, prepare for surgery or measure the alignment of the limbs.
Duration, report and equipment
Duration
The exam usually takes 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the limb and how easy positioning is.
Report turnaround
Report within 24 hours. In an emergency, during opening hours, the report is handed over immediately.
Equipment
GE Revolution
When is this exam needed?
- Complex joint fracture, for example of the wrist, tibial plateau, ankle or calcaneus (heel bone).
- Suspected fracture not visible on the X-ray, especially of the scaphoid (a small bone of the wrist).
- Delayed healing of a fracture or check of a bone graft.
- Bone lesion found on an X-ray, to clarify its appearance.
- Bone assessment before a joint replacement or joint surgery.
How the exam is done
Positioning depends on the limb being examined. For the leg, knee, ankle or foot, you lie on your back, feet first into the machine. For the wrist, hand or elbow, you often lie on your stomach, with your arm stretched above your head. Foam pads hold the limb to prevent any movement.
Once the position is found, the acquisition takes only a few seconds and causes no sensation. You simply need to stay perfectly still. A cast or splint can usually be kept on during the exam.
Preparation
- Let us know in advance if you cannot raise your arm or bend your leg: positioning will be adapted.
- Remove your watch, rings and bracelets on the side being examined; if a finger is too swollen, tell the team.
- Come with your cast or splint, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
- Check that the prescription clearly states the side to be examined.
Fasting
No fasting is needed, even if an injection is planned. Drink normally.
Contrast injection
Most often, no injection is given, as bone is clearly visible without a contrast agent. An injection of iodinated contrast agent into a vein may be requested for a tumor or an infection; an injection into the joint, on the other hand, corresponds to CT arthrography.
Contraindications and precautions
- Previous reaction to an iodinated contrast agent: tell us when you book; a preparation or another exam may be offered.
- Diabetes treated with metformin, or kidney disease: please tell us. Depending on your kidney function, the radiologist will tell you whether metformin should be paused after the injection. Bring a recent creatinine test if you are asked to.
- Thyroid problem, to be reported before any iodine injection.
- Current or possible pregnancy: you must tell us before the exam. A CT scan uses X-rays: it is performed during pregnancy only if it is essential.
- Breastfeeding: please tell us. It is generally not necessary to stop breastfeeding after an iodinated contrast injection.
- Inability to stay still in position, for example because of pain.
Documents to bring
- Prescription specifying the limb and the side
- Recent X-rays of the limb concerned
- Surgical report in case of surgery or hardware in place
- List of your medications
- Insurance or mutual insurance fund card
Price and insurance coverage
The price of the bone and joint CT scan depends on the limb segment examined and the number of regions, for example both knees, as well as on an iodinated contrast injection that is rarely useful.
The center accepts coverage from insurance companies and the main mutual insurance funds. You submit the coverage request to your insurer or fund yourself. For AtlantaSanad and Sanlam, the center takes care of it.
No prices are shown on this site: Kenza gives you the exact price on WhatsApp, along with the coverage procedure for your situation.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep my cast on during the CT scan?
Yes, in most cases. X-rays pass through plaster or resin, and the bone can still be analyzed. Only certain splints with metal parts can interfere. Never remove a cast yourself: if it needs to be removed, the doctor will tell you.
Do screws or plates placed during surgery prevent the exam?
No. Metal causes streaks on the images, but an adapted protocol usually makes it possible to study the bone around the hardware and the healing. It is even a situation where CT is often preferred to MRI. Tell us about this hardware and bring the surgical report.
Do both sides need to be examined?
Not always. For certain measurements, or to compare with the healthy side, both knees or both limbs can be studied in the same acquisition. The referring doctor indicates this on the prescription; if in doubt, the radiologist checks the side and the extent of the exam with you.
How long does the exam take?
The exam usually takes 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the limb and how easy positioning is. Once the position is found, the acquisition takes only a few seconds and causes no sensation: you simply need to stay perfectly still.
Bone and Joint CT Scan of the Limbs in Casablanca: how much does it cost?
The price of the bone and joint CT scan depends on the limb segment examined and the number of regions, for example both knees, as well as on an iodinated contrast injection that is rarely useful. The center accepts coverage from insurance companies and the main mutual insurance funds. No prices are shown on this site: Kenza gives you the exact price on WhatsApp, along with the coverage procedure for your situation.