Definition

A CT scan is an x-ray that uses a computer to make cross-sectional images of the head.

	CT Scan of the Head
	© 2008 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.

Parts of the Body Involved

Head, brain

Reasons for Procedure

A CT scan is done to study the skull, brain, jaw, sinuses, and facial bones for signs of injuries, tumors, or other disease.

Your doctor may recommend a head CT if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Headache
• Seizures
• Head injury or injury to the face or eyes
• Dizziness or problems with balance
• Pain
• Confusion
• Behavior or personality change
• Chronic nasal congestion
• Cough
• Swelling in the face, head, or neck
• May be used as guidance for procedures (eg, brain biopsy )

Many conditions and diseases can be diagnosed with a head CT. These include:

• Brain tumor
• Spread of cancer from another location (metastases)
• Cysts
• Congenital brain malformations
• Bleeding
• Strokes
• Aneurysm
• Swelling due to concussion or other trauma , or due to infection
• Sinus disease
• Fractures of the skull, jaw, or facial bones
• Hydrocephalus (excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the head)
• Abscess
• Chronic sinusitis

Risk Factors for Complications During the Procedure

If you are given a contrast dye and have kidney problems, the dye can lead to the worsening of your renal or kidney function. Another complication is if you have had previous allergic or anaphylactic response to contrast dye. If you are pregnant your doctor may choose a different radiological study to limit the exposure to x-rays.

What to Expect

Prior to Procedure

Depending on which tissue your doctor wants to examine, you may be given a contrast dye. If this is the case, do not eat or drink anything for four hours before your exam.

You'll remove anything containing metal from your head and neck, including jewelry, false teeth, glasses, and hair barrettes.

During Procedure

If a contrast dye is needed, it is injected into a vein. You'll be positioned on a special movable table, called a gantry, with your head inside the CT scanner, which is usually donut-shaped.

Anesthesia

None

Description of the Procedure

The gantry advances you very slowly through the CT scanner. You'll need to be very still during the entire test. If you have difficulty keeping your head perfectly still, the technician may choose to immobilize your head. As the scanner takes pictures, you'll hear some humming and clicking. You are able to talk to the technician and/or doctor during the exam, so if you are in pain, frightened, or concerned in any way, you can communicate this immediately.

After Procedure

If you've received contrast dye, drink extra fluids to more quickly flush it out of your body.

How Long Will It Take?

It may take 10-60 minutes, depending on how much area must be scanned and how much detail is required.

Will It Hurt?

The scan itself will not hurt, although you may feel restless.

Possible Complications

Allergic or anaphylactic response to contrast dye

Average Hospital Stay

None

Postoperative Care

None

Outcome

Your doctor should be able to spot any abnormalities in your brain, skull, or facial bones.

Call Your Doctor If Any of the Following Occurs

You had contrast dye and notice:

• Hives
• Itching
• Nausea
• Swollen, itchy eyes
• Tightness of throat
• Difficulty breathing

RESOURCES:

American College of Radiology
http://www.acr.org

Radiological Society of North America
http://www.radiologyinfo.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists
http://www.camrt.ca

BC Health Guide, British Columbia Ministry of Health
http://www.bchealthguide.org/

References:

Mayo Clinic website. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ct-scan/FL00065 . Accessed on October 20, 2007.

Medical encyclopedia: cranial CT scan. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003786.htm . Accessed October 14, 2005.

Yale University School of Medicine Patient's Guide to Medical Tests . Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin; 1997.

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