Patient guide · Radiology
CT scanning, how modern computed tomography works — from head to toe.
The scan itself takes seconds — the harder question is which protocol, which scanner, and which sub-specialty consultant. This guide walks through what CT actually sees in the head, chest, abdomen, heart, spine and vessels, what contrast and dose mean in practice, and what a London appointment costs when you go private.
Reviewed by Pulse Atlas Editorial Board, · Published 2026-07-30 · Next review 2027-07-30 · 7 min read
Why patients choose us
- 01
The right scanner, the right protocol
Modern 128–320-slice and photon-counting CT scanners, with the protocol matched to the clinical question — not a generic template.
- 02
Reported by a consultant radiologist
Sub-specialty consultant radiologists interpret every study — neuro, chest, abdominal, cardiac and vascular.
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Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Key facts
CT scanning, in six lines.
The essentials — what CT actually is, how modern scanners differ, and where contrast and dose fit in.
- 01
Scan is over in seconds
The bed moves you through the ring in under a minute — most of the appointment is set-up and, if needed, the cannula for contrast.
- 02
Private London slots
Single-region CT in our network typically £350–£950, most appointments offered within 1–3 working days, urgent same-day where warranted.
- 03
Resolution
Sub-millimetre spatial resolution with isotropic multiplanar reformats.
- 04
IV contrast
Iodinated contrast is used for vascular, oncology and inflammatory questions.
- 05
Radiation dose
Typically 1–10 mSv depending on the region and protocol.
- 06
AI post-processing
Nodule detection, CT-FFR and plaque analysis add quantitative reads.
Indicative pricing
What a private CT scan costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
A single-region CT in our network: £350–£950, with reports typically within 24–48 hours.
| Scan type | Indicative range | Typical duration | Report turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| CT head (unenhanced) | £350–£600 | 15 min | 24–48 hr |
| CT chest (high-resolution or contrast) | £450–£800 | 20 min | 24–48 hr |
| CT abdomen and pelvis with contrast | £550–£950 | 25 min | 24–48 hr |
| CT coronary angiography (with CT-FFR option) | £850–£1,600 | 30 min | 48 hr |
| CT aorta / peripheral angiogram | £700–£1,300 | 30 min | 48 hr |
| CT urogram or CT enterography | £650–£1,100 | 30 min | 48 hr |
Prices vary by clinic, contrast use, ECG-gating and whether post-processing (CT-FFR, AI nodule) is included. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
The right scanner and the right protocol change the answer.
A generic CT protocol on an older scanner and a tailored study on a modern one give very different reports. We route you to the sub-specialty consultant and the scanner that matches your question.
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Suspected stroke or TIA?
Non-contrast CT head plus, where indicated, CT angiography — reported urgently by a neuroradiologist.
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Chest symptoms or lung screening?
Low-dose HRCT or contrast-enhanced chest CT with AI nodule detection.
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Cardiac risk assessment?
ECG-gated CT coronary angiography with calcium score and CT-FFR where warranted.
How it works
From referral to report — what happens, in order.
Preparation, the scan itself and the consultant report — the seven steps of a private CT pathway.
Phase 1 · Before your scan
Referral, protocol and fasting
Phase 2 · On the day
Set-up, cannula and seconds-long scan
Phase 3 · After
Post-processing and consultant report
- 01
Before
Consultation and referral
We confirm the clinical question, review prior imaging and choose the right CT protocol for the region and indication.
- 02
Before
Fast 4 hours if contrast
For contrast-enhanced studies, take clear fluids only for 4 hours before. Take routine medication with a small sip of water.
- 03
On the day
Change into a gown
A radiographer settles you in and removes any metal in the scan field. A cannula is placed if IV contrast is planned.
- 04
On the day
Lie on the scan bed
You lie on a motorised couch that moves through the CT gantry — an open ring, not a tunnel.
- 05
On the day
The scan takes seconds
The scan itself is over in seconds — most of the appointment is set-up. Contrast may give a warm flush, which passes quickly.
- 06
After
Post-processing: MPR and AI
Radiographers create multiplanar and 3D reformats. AI tools flag pulmonary nodules, coronary plaque or vascular calcium.
- 07
After
Consultant radiologist reporting
A sub-specialty consultant radiologist reports the study — typically within 24–48 hours, urgently the same day.
Typical end-to-end: 1–3 days. Urgent cases: same day.
What it shows
CT of the head, chest, abdomen, heart, spine and vessels.
CT is the workhorse of modern imaging — the eight most common CT studies, and when they are the right test.
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CT head
First-line for acute stroke, head injury, headache with red flags and intracranial tumour assessment.
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CT chest
Lung nodules, interstitial disease, pulmonary embolism, mediastinal masses and lung cancer staging.
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CT abdomen and pelvis
Solid organs, bowel, mesentery — for pain, oncology staging, trauma and post-op complications.
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CT angiography
Coronary arteries, aorta, pulmonary and peripheral vessels — with quantitative plaque and CT-FFR options.
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CT spine
Cervical, thoracic and lumbar bony detail — fractures, spondylolysis and pre-operative planning.
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CT urogram
Kidneys, ureters and bladder in one contrast-enhanced study for haematuria and stone disease.
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CT enterography
Dedicated small-bowel protocol for suspected or established Crohn’s disease.
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Red flag: acute stroke, ruptured aneurysm or bowel perforation — emergency pathway
These are 999 presentations. Do not wait for a private slot — call 999 and go straight to A&E.
Next steps
After the report — what typically follows.
What a CT report typically leads to, from a plain reassurance to a structured cancer or vascular pathway.
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Reassurance for normal scans
A clear consultant report you can share with your GP — with plain-English context on what a normal study means.
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Structured follow-up imaging
Interval CT or alternative modality at the guideline-recommended timepoint for indeterminate findings.
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MRI for further characterisation
MRI adds soft-tissue contrast for liver lesions, brain findings, prostate and musculoskeletal work-up.
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Biopsy planning
CT-guided or image-guided biopsy of a suspicious lesion, with pathology onward pathway arranged.
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Surgical planning
3D CT reformats and, where indicated, printed models to plan complex cardiac, vascular or orthopaedic surgery.
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Radiotherapy planning
Dedicated CT simulation supports precision radiotherapy — often paired with MRI or PET fusion.
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Multi-disciplinary team review
Complex findings go to a sub-specialty MDT — the plan comes from a team, not a single voice.
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Structured cancer or vascular pathway
Rapid onward referral into an oncology, vascular or interventional pathway when the report demands it.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of imaging centres, we picked them.
Partners across central, north, west and south London — introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every CT centre in our network.
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Sub-specialty consultant radiologists — neuro, cardiac, chest, abdominal and vascular
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Modern 128–320-slice CT, with photon-counting CT where available
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Dose-optimised protocols following IR(ME)R and Public Health England guidance
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AI post-processing for lung nodules, CT-FFR and coronary plaque where clinically indicated
Red flags and safety
When CT is an emergency, and how we keep it safe.
CT is powerful — the safety questions are contrast, cumulative dose, and knowing when a private slot is the wrong route.
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Acute stroke
Sudden weakness, facial droop or slurred speech — 999, not a private slot. Time is brain.
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Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm
Sudden severe abdominal or back pain with collapse — 999 immediately.
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Bowel perforation
Severe, worsening abdominal pain with fever or shock — same-day emergency assessment.
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Contrast anaphylaxis
Rare but serious reaction to iodinated contrast. Tell us about any prior reaction before the scan.
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Contrast-induced kidney injury
We check kidney function (eGFR) before contrast in higher-risk patients and hydrate accordingly.
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High cumulative radiation dose
We review your prior imaging and use dose-optimised protocols — no test without a clear indication.
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Missed occult malignancy
CT is powerful but not infallible — small or early lesions can be missed. Persistent symptoms warrant re-imaging.
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Post-op complication
Post-surgical CT is often used to exclude bleeding, collection or leak — arranged urgently when needed.
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Sepsis workup
CT is a core tool for identifying the source in unexplained sepsis — this is a hospital-based pathway.
Reading your report
A CT report can look intimidating. It isn’t.
Whatever the finding, the report keeps to the same four parts.
A quiet reminder
The report is written for your doctor, not for you — and that’s normal.
If you would like us to talk you through it before your follow-up, just ask.
- 01 Header
Indication and technique
The clinical question, the protocol used, and whether IV contrast, oral contrast or ECG-gating was applied.
- 02 Technique
Slice thickness and reformats
Acquisition parameters, dose, and the multiplanar and 3D reformats generated for review.
- 03 Findings
Systematic anatomical review
A structured description of every organ or vascular territory in the scan field — normal or abnormal.
- 04 Impression
The conclusion: read this first
The bottom line — the diagnosis or differential, and the concrete next step. Read this first.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover depends on your policy and clinic; we confirm with your insurer before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about CT scanning.
How CT actually works, radiation dose, contrast safety, CT vs MRI, modern add-ons, and how quickly you get your report.
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How much does a private CT scan cost in London?
A single-region CT — head, chest or spine without contrast — sits at £350–£600 in our network. Contrast-enhanced abdomen and pelvis or CT angiography runs £550–£1,300, and ECG-gated coronary CT with CT-FFR reaches £1,600. Reports usually land within 24–48 hours, or the same day if urgent.
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How much radiation does a CT scan involve?
Doses depend on the region and protocol. A CT head is around 2 mSv, a CT chest 2–7 mSv, and a CT abdomen and pelvis 5–10 mSv. Modern dose-modulation, iterative reconstruction and photon-counting detectors have reduced doses substantially. Every CT is justified against the clinical question and IR(ME)R principles.
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Do I need contrast, and is it safe?
Iodinated IV contrast is used when we need to see vessels, characterise tumours or assess inflammation. It is very well tolerated — serious reactions are rare and screened for in advance. Kidney function is checked in higher-risk patients before contrast is given.
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How is CT different from an MRI?
CT uses X-rays and excels at bony detail, vascular imaging, lung parenchyma and acute presentations — with acquisitions in seconds. MRI uses magnetic fields to give superior soft-tissue contrast for brain, spine, prostate, liver lesions and musculoskeletal problems, but takes longer and is more sensitive to movement.
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What are AI nodule detection, CT-FFR and spectral CT?
AI nodule detection flags small pulmonary nodules on chest CT for the reporting radiologist. CT-FFR uses computational fluid dynamics on coronary CT to estimate functional flow limitation without an invasive angiogram. Spectral and photon-counting CT separate tissue types by energy, improving iodine quantification, kidney stone characterisation and gout imaging.
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How quickly will I get my report?
Standard turnaround is 24–48 hours. Urgent studies — suspected stroke, PE, aneurysm or perforation — are reported the same day. Complex oncology or cardiac studies with post-processing are typically ready within 48 hours.
Related tests
Looking for a different test?
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CT scan overview
The Pulse Atlas overview of private CT scans and booking.
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Chest X-ray
First-line chest imaging — quick, low-dose, widely available.
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MRI
Superior soft-tissue detail — the complementary modality to CT.
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All tests
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Related condition guide.
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Colorectal Cancer
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Cryoablation For Cancer
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Colon Cancer Surgery
Related treatment option.
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In practice, in London
The honest picture around CT scanning in London
With CT scanning, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it — not whether the scan is available. Waiting lists on the NHS for CT scanning vary widely by borough and by how the GP letter reads. Privately in London, we can normally offer a slot inside the same week, sometimes within 48 hours if there’s a cancellation. The difference isn’t clinical quality — the consultants are frequently the same faces you’d see on the NHS — it’s the calendar.
A private CT scanning pathway in London usually looks like this: an initial consultation, any diagnostics booked at a nearby facility (most within Zone 1 or 2), and a written report sent to you and your GP within a few days. The consultants we work with hold NHS posts alongside their private lists, which keeps the standards consistent across both settings. For CT scanning specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.
The value of going through a concierge for CT scanning isn’t access — anyone with an insurer or a credit card can get a private appointment in London. The value is knowing which consultant reads this particular presentation best, which unit turns reports around fastest, and which pathway won’t hit a dead end if the findings point somewhere unexpected.