A head CT scan is a medical examination that combines X-ray technology with a computer system to produce images of various tissues and structures inside the head, such as the skull, brain, paranasal sinuses, and eye sockets.
CT scan of the head is useful to assist doctors in diagnosing a condition related to head injury or injury as well as to determine the treatment plan that will be used. In addition, doctors may also use a CT scan of the head to guide medical procedures, such as surgery, biopsy, or radiation therapy for brain cancer.
Head CT Scan Indications
A CT scan of the head is able to produce images that are more detailed, fast, and accurate than ordinary X-rays, so that it can provide more data related to the medical information needed. A head CT scan is usually used to detect the following conditions:
- Abnormalities or fractures of the skull
- Abnormal blood vessels
- Brain tissue atrophy
- Birth defects
- Brain aneurysm
- Bleeding in the brain
- Accumulation of fluid in the skull
- Infection or swelling
- Injuries to the head, face, or brain
- stroke
- Brain tumor
- Enlargement of the brain cavity in patients with hydrocephalus
Your doctor may also recommend a CT scan of your head if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Faint
- Severe headache
- Seizures
- Sudden changes in behavior or way of thinking
- Hearing or vision impairment
- Muscle weakness, numbness and tingling
- Difficulty speaking
- Difficulty swallowing
Preparation Before Head CT Scan
Here are some preparations that patients need to do before undergoing a head CT scan procedure:
- Wear comfortable and loose clothing in anticipation of not being given special clothes during the procedure
- Removing metal objects that stick to the body, including eyewear jewelry, dentures, hair clips, hearing aids, bras with wires, and piercings
- Do not eat or drink for a few hours before undergoing the procedure
- Inform the doctor about all the drugs you are taking and any allergies you have
- Informing the doctor about the symptoms or history of the disease experienced, especially heart disease, asthma, diabetes, or kidney disease
- Tell the doctor if you are pregnant or there is a possibility of becoming pregnant
Head CT Scan Procedure
Head CT scans are generally painless, the process is quick, and easy. Usually, this examination can take 10-15 minutes. The following are the stages of a head CT scan:
- The patient will be asked to lie on his back on a bed that has been adjusted to the needs of the examination.
- Straps and pillows can be used to help the patient stay in the correct position and remain still during the procedure.
- Officers will monitor and communicate with patients through intercoms connected in both rooms.
- During the examination, the patient is not allowed to move so that the images are clear and not blurry.
- Under certain conditions, the patient may be given a sedative to keep him from moving a lot, because movement will affect the image.
- In some CT scans, a contrast agent can be used to clarify the visualization of the area of the head to be analyzed.
- During the examination, the patient's bed will move slowly into the CT scanner, which is shaped like a donut with a short tunnel in the middle.
- The scanner will start rotating around the patient, then X-rays will pass through the body and begin scanning.
- The data from the X-rays is detected by a scanner and sent to a computer to obtain detailed and immersive 2D or 3D images.
- The patient may be asked to hold their breath during the procedure.
- After the procedure is complete, the patient will be removed from the scanner.
After Head CT Scan
There are several things after a head CT scan that are important to know, namely:
- After the scanning process is complete, the patient will be asked to wait until the officer verifies that the image is of good quality to be analyzed accurately.
- The patient was allowed to go home and resume normal activities after the results of the CT scan of the head were considered good enough.
- The results of the examination will be reviewed by a radiologist. If necessary, the doctor will advise the patient to undergo another examination to get a more accurate test result.
- A follow-up CT scan of the head is also sometimes needed to monitor whether treatment is successful or whether the abnormality has changed.
- If abnormalities are found, the doctor will determine the appropriate treatment according to the patient's condition.
CT Scan Side Effects
A head CT scan is a relatively safe procedure and does not cause direct side effects. However, CT scans that use contrast agents are usually at risk of side effects. Some of the side effects that often occur are:
- Feel like a guess and a metallic taste sensation in the mouth when the contrast agent enters the vein
- Nausea, vomiting, itching, or sneezing in people who are allergic to the iodine in the contrast agent
You don't need to worry too much because the allergic reaction is actually only mild, harmless, and usually lasts less than 1 minute.
In addition to the risk of allergies due to the use of contrast agents, the use of CT scans with high levels of radiation is known to cause cancer. However, the chances are still very small and the benefits of an accurate CT scan result far outweigh the risks.
For pediatric patients who tend to be more sensitive to radiation exposure, a head CT scan is usually done if it is really needed and at a low dose.
Those are some important things you need to know about head CT scans. If you still have questions about this medical procedure, you can consult a radiologist before undergoing it.