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Loss of consciousness, sudden fall, or progressive paralysis of the body are situations that can be caused by rapid changes inside the head. Sometimes they are the result of an accident, but more often they occur due to previously undiagnosed diseases and dysfunctions within the skull. To diagnose them and determine their extent, a computed tomography of the head is performed. What is this examination about?
Computed tomography of the head is based on exposure to x-rays. What does this mean exactly? The tomography device consists of a bed on which the patient is placed and gantry, i.e. the internal part of the device, where the examination itself takes place. There are several X-ray tubes arranged in the apparatus, which not only rotate around the patient lying on a special bed, but also move from the patient’s head to the feet, depending on the area of the body to be examined.
As they move around, the lamps make a dozen X-ray pictureswhich allow you to create a comprehensive cross-section and image of a given part of the body. As different tissues receive X-rays differently, we see areas of different darkness in the image. Hard bone will appear lighter in the image than darker soft tissues. Computed tomography is a very thorough examination. It is assumed that the devices currently used for its production allow for a resolution accuracy of up to 1 mm.
Computed tomography of the head, or CT scan, is a diagnostic test performed in the case of head injuries, suspected tumors, malformations, diseases of the cerebral vascular system and in inflammation of the brain, paranasal sinuses and facial skeleton. A CT scan may be a standard test or a contrast test.
Indications for performing computed tomography of the head
Head tomography is most often performed for head injuries such as contusions of the brain, fractures of the skull bones and hematomas. There are also indications for performing a tomographic examination of the head neoplastic diseases of the central nervous system – for example, glioma, lymphoma, astrocytoma, malignant neoplasms of the middle ear, meningioma and tumor metastases in the craniofacial region.
Head tomography is also performed in the case of bacterial and viral inflammations of unclear origin, in the case of tuberculous meningitis, and in the case of abscesses and brain abscesses, in the case of toxoplasmosis and cysticercosis. Indications for head tomography are also any vascular changes in the brain, hematomas, intracerebral hemorrhage, cerebral ischemia, cerebral hemorrhagic stroke, cerebral infarction, suspected pituitary gland diseases.
In children, a head tomography is performed if there is a suspicion of malformations or, for example, hydrocephalus. Also, inflammation of the paranasal sinuses and meninges requires this test. Alzheimer’s disease, cerebral dementia, craniofacial bone changes, cysts and transparent septal defects are other examples of complaints when computed tomography of the head is performed.
- See what the course of computed tomography of the sinuses looks like
Computed tomography of the head makes it possible to detect any lesions or changes resulting from an injury in the craniofacial area. On the basis of computed tomography of the head, it is possible to assess the state of the nervous tissue in the brain, to estimate the spaces containing the cerebrospinal fluid, and to check the condition of the brain and spine.
You can also confirm or exclude stroke, brain tumors, brain atrophy, and ischemic changes in the brain.
Check: How can I prevent a stroke?
Contraindications for performing computed tomography of the head
Computed tomography of the head is not performed in pregnant women. Ionizing radiation used in this study has an adverse effect on the development of the unborn baby. Computed tomography of the head is not recommended for women in the second phase of their menstrual cycle as there is a risk of conception, although pregnancy is not yet confirmed.
Computed tomography of the head with contrast should not be performed, inter alia, in the case of people allergic to iodine contrast agents. It is also not recommended in patients with renal insufficiency and in people with too high a kidney disease thyroid hormone levels.
It’s good to know that radiation dose affecting the patient during computed tomography is many times higher than in the case of a traditional X-ray image. You should bear this in mind and know that computed tomography should only be performed in medically justified cases.
You should report for a head tomography on an empty stomach, but it is recommended to drink about 2 liters of non-carbonated water before starting the examination (within about three hours before the examination). Before the examination, inform the doctor who conducts the examination about any medications, allergies and other conditions you are taking. Before performing a head CT scan, jewelery, glasses and hearing aids (if the patient is wearing them) must be removed.
You should also bring your current creatinine result with you as well TSH in the bloodif the test is to be performed with contrast (the contrast is removed from the blood by the kidneys, therefore the doctor must assess their condition before administering the contrast agent).
The course of computed tomography of the head
A head CT scan is painless and safe. The patient is asked to lie down on a movable table which is then slowly slid into the tomograph chamber. During the examination, the patient should lie still, so that the tomographic images come out motionless and sharp. In the case of children, sedatives are administered prior to performing a CT scan of the head.
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