Head CT scan

Head CT is done in the hospital or radiology center. You lie on a narrow table that slides into the center of the CT scanner. While inside the scanner, the machine's x-ray beam rotates around you. A computer creates separate images of the body area, called slices. These images can be: Stored Viewed on a monitor…

Certain CT exams require a special dye, called contrast material. It is delivered into the body before the test starts. Contrast helps certain areas show up better on x-rays. Contrast can be given through a vein ( IV ) in your hand or forearm. If contrast is used, you may also be asked not to eat or drink anything for…

The x-rays produced by the CT scan are painless. Some people may have discomfort from lying on the hard table. Contrast material given through a vein may cause a: Slight burning feeling Metallic taste in the mouth Warm flushing of the body This is normal and usually goes away within a few seconds.

A head CT scan is recommended to help diagnose or monitor the following conditions: Birth (congenital) defect of the head or brain Brain infection Brain tumor Buildup of fluid inside the skull ( hydrocephalus ) Injury (trauma) to the brain, head, or face Stroke Bleeding in or around the brain It may also be done to…

Abnormal results may be due to: Abnormal blood vessels ( arteriovenous malformation ) Bulging blood vessel in the brain (aneurysm) Bleeding (for example, subdural hematoma , epidural hematoma , or bleeding in the brain tissue) Bone infection Brain abscess or infection Brain damage due to injury Brain tissue swelling…

Risks of CT scans include: Being exposed to radiation Allergic reaction to contrast dye Kidney damage from the contrast dye CT scans use more radiation than regular x-rays. Having many x-rays or CT scans over time may increase your risk for cancer. However, the risk from any one scan is small. You and your provider…

A CT scan can reduce or avoid the need for invasive procedures to diagnose problems in the skull. This is one of the safest ways to study the head and neck. Other tests that may be done instead of a head CT scan include: MRI of the head Positron emission tomography (PET) scan of the head

Barras CD, Bhattacharya JJ. Current status of imaging of the brain and anatomical features. In: Adam A, Dixon AK, Gillard JH, Schaefer-Prokop CM, eds. Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology . 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 53. Kalnins AU, Prost RW, Kim TA. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance…