MDCT of head (brain, endocranium)

Computerized Tomography (CT) is a scanner diagnostic that allows you to create a series of scans from different angles with the help of x rays. CT is a fast, painless, non-invasive and precise method. Scanner diagnostics is used to detect the cause of headache, dizziness, in order to assess head injury or to detect aneurysm, bleeding, scar or brain tumor. A CT scan can be made based on a CT scan of the brain in the treatment of brain tumors. In emergencies, CT diagnosis plays an important role in the rapid detection of brain injury and bleeding. The whole procedure is completely painless and lasts about 30 minutes.

WHY IT IS DONE / INDICATIONS

• CT head is used to detect: bleeding in the brain, head injuries, skull fractures, brain bleeding resulting from aneurysm failure (accompanied by sudden severe headache), a stroke (which may be due to blood clots or brain bleeding), brain tumor, brain chamber enlargement (hydrocephalus), sickness or malformation of the skull.

• The CT head is also used to examine and evaluate the extent of bone or soft tissue damage in face injuries, planning surgical reconstruction, detecting bone diseases that can lead to hearing problems, inflammation or other changes in paranasal sinuses; for the purpose of planning air therapy or as a help in the performance of brain biopsy.

HOW IT IS PERFORMED?

• Scanner diagnostic machine is a large machine in the shape of a donut whose ends are open. While scanning, you will lie on a bed that moves to the machine. In order to fix the head or enable a stable body position, a backing or pillow may be used.

• The one you lie on is moving to the machine and the machine rotates around it afterwards. Each rotation of the machine allows you to create an image from different angles and display different body sections. Each rotation of the machine is accompanied by a certain degree of noise.

• The health worker will be in a separate room next to you, so he will be able to hear and see you. You will be able to communicate with a healthcare professional if necessary. If necessary, a healthcare professional will ask you to breathe in the air to allow for a clear picture to be made.

POTENTIAL RISKS

• During CT Scanning, you will be exposed to some extent to radiation (more than during classic X-ray shooting, because scanner captures more detailed information). The amount of radiation you will be exposed to does not lead to serious complications.

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, because radiation during this recording can damage the fetus.

• The contrast medium used during CT scanning may cause an allergic reaction or some other adverse reaction. Most commonly, there are mild allergic reactions that manifest themselves as itch or redness. Tell your health care staff if you have a known allergic reaction to a contrast agent.

PREPARATION

• You are not permitted to wear any metal objects, belts, jewelry, glasses or prosthesis during scanning.

• You may not eat or drink a few hours before scanning.

• If you have a known allergy to an iodine contrast agent, you should inform your medical staff. Alert medical personnel if you have an allergy to some medicines or foods. Tell your doctor if you have any heart disease, asthma, diabetes, kidney disease, or thyroid problems. These diseases increase the risk of developing adverse effects of the procedure.

• If you are pregnant or suspect that you are pregnant, inform your medical staff. If you are breast-feeding at the time of CT scanning, you need to get instructions from your doctor about continuing breast-feeding after taking a shot. It is recommended that before you take off, your baby will have milk for that day and that breastfeeding should continue when the contrast material is excreted from the body, which usually occurs after 24 hours of examination. You are not allowed to wear any metal items, belt, jewelry during the scanning, glasses for vision or prosthesis.

• Depending on which part of the body the CT scanner image is, depending on the way the contrast medium is applied (if needed). The contrast medium can be drunk if it is planned to shoot the esophagus or stomach. The contrast of the contrast medium may be unpleasant; If it is planned to take organs such as the gall bladder, liver, various blood vessels or organs of the urinary system, it may be necessary to give a contrast medium to the vein (intravenous), which can be caused by a feeling of heat spreading through the body or metal taste in the mouth; If it is necessary to shoot the rectum, the contrast agent is put directly into the rectum after cleaning the bowel.

• When performing CT scanning for children, it is usually necessary to administer tranquillizers (sedatives) in order to keep the child quiet during the shooting. Child movements can lead to the creation of blurry images, which makes the test results may be incorrect.

AFTER SCANNING

• You can return to your normal daily activities immediately after the test.

• If you have received a contrast medium, it is very important that after taking the shot, you drink plenty of fluids to get the contrast agent out of the body as soon as possible.