Sinus CT scan

You will be asked to lie on a narrow table that slides into the center of the CT scanner. You may lie on your back, or you may lie face-down with your chin raised. Once you are inside the scanner, the machine's x-ray beam rotates around you. You will not see the rotating x-ray beam. Modern "spiral" scanners can…

For some tests, you will need to have a special dye, called contrast, delivered into the body before the test starts. Contrast helps certain areas show up better on the 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…

Some people may have discomfort from lying on the hard table. Contrast given through an IV may cause a: Slight burning sensation Metallic taste in the mouth Warm flushing of the body These feelings are normal. They will go away within a few seconds.

CT rapidly creates detailed pictures of the sinuses. The test may diagnose or detect: Abnormal nasal drainage An abnormal finding on an x-ray or nasal endoscopy Birth defects in the sinuses Infection in the bones of the sinuses ( osteomyelitis ) Injury to the face over the sinuses from trauma Loss of smell Masses and…

Results are considered normal if no problems are seen in the sinuses.

Abnormal results may be due to: Birth defects Bone fractures Cancer Polyps in the sinuses Sinus infection (sinusitis)

Risks for a CT scan include: Being exposed to radiation Allergic reaction to contrast dye CT scans expose you to 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 very small. You and your provider should weigh this…

DeMuri GP, Wald ER. Sinusitis. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 62. Khan M, Zinreich SJ, Aygun N. Imaging of nose and sinuses. In: Flint PW, Francis HW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Cummings…