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Cranial CT scan   

Overview | Risks | Results

Alternative names:

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

Definition:

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

How the Test is Performed

A head CT will 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 artifact. Intravenous contrast media may be administered to further evaluate for vascular masses, determine whether masses enhance (become brighter) with contrast, or allow for visualization of the vessels of the head and/or brain.

The total amount of time in the CT scanner should be a few minutes.

How to Prepare for the Test

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:

• infant test or procedure preparation (birth to 1 year)
• toddler test or procedure preparation (1 to 3 years)
• preschooler test or procedure preparation (3 to 6 years)
• schoolage test or procedure preparation (6 to 12 years)
• adolescent test or procedure preparation (12 to 18 years)

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 occurence and will subside in a few seconds.

Otherwise, the CT is painless.

Why the Test is Performed

A CT scan is recommended to help:

• evaluate acute cranial-facial trauma
• determine acute stroke
• evaulate suspected subarachnoid or intracranial hemorrhage
• evaluate headache
• evaulate loss of sensory or motor function
• determine if there abnormal development of the head and neck

CT scans are also used to view the facial bones, jaw, and sinus cavities.

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