CAT Scan, Brain - Cranial CT Scan

Computed tomography, also called CT, of the brain is a noninvasive imaging method that combines X-rays with computer technology. X-ray beams from several angles are used to create a series of detailed cross-sectional images of the brain.

Who is a candidate for the test?

CT is an excellent method for viewing the structures of the brain. It can provide detailed images of several types of tissue including bone, soft tissue, and blood vessels. For this reason, it can be used to:

A cranial CT scan can help a doctor diagnose and treat the following conditions:

How is the test performed?

Before the test, the doctor will ask the person if he or she:

A woman will be asked if she might be pregnant. Often, a urine pregnancy test will be done on females of childbearing age before the CT scan.

The person having a CT scan will first need to remove items that can interfere with the images, such as wigs, hairpins, clips, and removable dental hardware. The person lies on a flat platform with his or her head on a special pillow. This pillow provides comfort, which helps to limit movement during the scan.

Next, the table slowly moves into the donut-shaped machine. When the table is in the right position, the device delivers X-ray beams through the person's brain and skull from many angles.

Often, a special substance called a contrast agent is used to enhance internal brain structures and improve the quality of the final images. Typically, the contrast agent is injected into a vein in the arm. Most CT tests take between 10 and 45 minutes. The scanning process is painless. To make sure the final images are clear, the person must lie still during the whole exam.

The contrast agent may cause mild nausea in some people. Flushing, itching, and a metallic taste in the mouth are often described in patients who receive an injected contrast agent. Most of these feelings go away within a few minutes.

After the test, the person will be asked to wait until the pictures are looked at to see if any more are needed. The person will be observed for any delayed reactions to the contrast agent. To help rid the body of the contrast agent, he or she may be asked to drink extra fluids.

What is involved in preparation for the test?

The person having a CT should not eat or drink for at least 4 hours before the test. The CT technologist will explain how the test is done. People who are prone to claustrophobia will receive a calming medicine before the exam.

What do the test results mean?

A doctor specially trained in analyzing CT images, called a radiologist, will examine the results of the test. He or she will forward a report of the findings to the person's doctor.

A cranial CT can reveal:

Author:Stephanie Slon, BA
Date Written:
Editor:Crist, Gayle P., MS, BA
Edit Date:06/05/02
Reviewer:Kathleen A. MacNaughton, RN, BSN
Date Reviewed:10/10/02

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