This is an education resource only. Ordering of all procedure codes on this website are subject to the Canberra Health Services guidelines for imaging orders.
CT FOREARM CONTRAST
FOR ALL EXTREMITIES, PLEASE REFERENCE SIDE AND REGION OF INTEREST TO BE SCANNED IN CT REQUEST
INDICATIONS (1,2)
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Soft tissue mass of the forearm (x-ray and US non-diagnostic & MRI contraindicated)
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Soft tissue infection of the forearm:
- Puncture wound, possible foreign body (x-ray normal)
- Necrotizing fasciitis highly suspected
- Soft tissue gas on x-ray, no puncture wound -
Post-operative evaluation
PATIENT PREPARATION
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Patient able to lie still for ten minutes
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Not claustrophobic (sedation may be given)
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Cognitively capable of following basic instructions
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Metal artefacts removed from the region of interest
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No respiratory distress when lying supine
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Not allergic to Iodine based contrast
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No known kidney disease (eGFR below 30 as per RANZCR), however, acute setting consultant may sign to continue with poor renal function
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No hyperthyroidism, may induce thyroid storm
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Patient to have 20G cannula in anterior cubital fossa.
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Preferably patient fasted for 4 hours
ANATOMY INCLUDED
SCAN RANGE: Elbow Joint to Wrist joint to include entire radius/ulna (or area of interest i.e. fracture)
CT Forearm Contrast- Soft tissue window (axial)
CT Forearm Contrast- Soft tissue window (coronal)
CT Forearm Contrast- Soft tissue window (sagittal)
CT Forearm Contrast- Bone window (axial)
CT Forearm Contrast- Bone window (coronal)
CT Forearm Contrast- Bone window (sagittal)
CT FOREARM NON CONTRAST
FOR ALL EXTREMITIES, PLEASE REFERENCE SIDE AND REGION OF INTEREST TO BE SCANNED IN CT REQUEST
INDICATIONS (1,2)
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Fracture union and healing
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Primary bone tumour suspected of the forearm- osteoid osteoma suspected on x-ray or clinical exam
PATIENT PREPARATION
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Patient able to lie still for five minutes
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Not claustrophobic (sedation may be given)
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Cognitively capable of following basic instructions
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Metal artefacts removed from the region of interest
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No respiratory distress when lying supine
ANATOMY INCLUDED
SCAN RANGE: Elbow Joint to Wrist joint to include entire radius/ulna (or area of interest i.e. fracture)
CT Forearm Non Contrast- Bone window (axial)
CT Forearm Non Contrast- Soft tissue window (axial)
CT Forearm Non Contrast- Bone window (coronal)
CT Forearm Non Contrast- Bone window (sagittal)
Extra reconstruction: 3D VR
REFERENCES
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American College of Radiology (ACR). Appropriateness Criteria. [ Internet]. 2022 [Updated 2023, Cited 20 Jan 2024]. Available from https://www.acr.org/Clinical-Resources/ACR-Appropriateness-Criteria
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Subhawong, T. K., Fishman, E. K., Swart, J. E., Carrino, J. A., Attar, S., & Fayad, L. M. (2010). Soft-tissue masses and masslike conditions: What does CT add to diagnosis and management? American Journal of Roentgenology, 194(6), 1559–1567. https://doi.org/10.2214/ajr.09.3736