Cranial CT scan

Definition

A cranial CT scan involves computed tomography of the head, including the skull, brain, orbits (eyes), and sinuses.

Alternative Names

Head CT; CT scan - skull; CT scan - head; CT scan - orbits; CT scan - sinuses

Why the Test is Performed

A CT scan is recommended to help:CT scans are also used to view the facial bones, jaw, and sinus cavities.

How the Test is Performed

A head CT will produce an image from the upper neck to the top of the head. If the patient cannot keep his/her head still, immobilization may be necessary. All jewelry, glasses, dentures, and other metal should be removed from the head and neck to prevent artifacts.

A contrast dye may be injected into a vein to further evaluate a mass. (The mass becomes brighter with contrast dye if it has a lot of blood vessels). Contrast dye is also used to produce an image of the blood vessels of the head and brain.

The total amount of time in the CT scanner is usually a few minutes.

How to Prepare for the Test

Generally, there is no preparation necessary.

Infants and children:
The physical and psychological preparation you can provide for this or any test or procedure depends on your child's age, interests, previous experiences, and level of trust. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics as they correspond to your child's age:

How the Test Will Feel

As with any intravenous iodinated contrast injection, there may be a slight temporary burning sensation in the arm, metallic taste in the mouth, or whole body warmth. This is a normal occurrence and will subside in a few seconds.

Otherwise, the CT scan is painless.

Risks

Iodine is the usual contrast dye. Some patients are allergic to iodine and may experience a reaction that may include hives, itching, nausea, breathing difficulty, or other symptoms.

As with any x-ray examination, radiation is potentially harmful. Consult your health care provider about the risks if multiple CT scans are needed over a period of time.

Considerations

A CT scan can decrease or eliminate the need for invasive procedures to diagnose problems in the skull. This is one of the safest means of studying the head and neck.

What Abnormal Results Mean

There may be signs of:Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:
Review Date: 4/22/2003
Reviewed By: Benjamin Taragin, M.D., Department of Radiology, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY. Review Provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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