CT SCAN OF BRAIN

A CT scan of the brain, also known as a head CT scan, is a rapid, painless, and non-invasive diagnostic imaging test that provides vital information about your brain's health. At Cadabams Diagnostics, we use state-of-the-art technology to perform this crucial examination. The primary purpose of the scan is to create detailed, cross-sectional images (or "slices") of the brain, surrounding tissues, and the skull. This level of detail allows our expert radiologists to identify a wide range of conditions with high accuracy.

The CT scan of the brain plays a critical role in emergency medicine, especially in situations where time is of the essence, such as evaluating a patient for a potential stroke or after significant head trauma. Its speed and precision make it an indispensable tool for quick and effective diagnosis.

What is a CT Scan of the Brain?

A Computed Tomography (CT) scan is an advanced form of X-ray. While a standard X-ray produces a single, flat image, a CT scanner uses a rotating X-ray beam to take pictures from many different angles. A powerful computer then processes these multiple images and combines them to create detailed, two-dimensional cross-sectional slices of your brain.

Think of it like looking at a loaf of bread. A standard X-ray might show you the outside of the loaf, but a CT scan allows doctors to see each individual slice, revealing the internal structure in great detail. This makes it possible to visualize brain tissue, blood vessels, and bones with exceptional clarity, helping to diagnose conditions that would be invisible on a regular X-ray.

Types of CT Scan of the Brain

Depending on what your doctor is looking to find, they may order a specific type of brain CT scan.

Brain CT without Contrast

This is the standard type of head CT scan and is often the first choice in an emergency setting. It is exceptionally good at detecting fresh bleeding (hemorrhage) in or around the brain and is the gold standard for identifying skull fractures. A scan without contrast is fast and requires no special preparation.

Brain CT with Contrast

This type of scan helps to answer the common question about the difference in a brain ct scan with and without contrast. For this procedure, a special iodine-based dye is injected into a vein, usually in your arm. This contrast material travels through your bloodstream and highlights blood vessels and areas with a rich blood supply. This makes it much easier for radiologists to identify abnormalities like brain tumors, infections (abscesses), or inflammation, which tend to "light up" with the dye.

CT Angiography (CTA) of the Brain

A CT angiography of the brain is a highly specialized type of contrast CT scan that focuses specifically on the blood vessels within the brain. The timing of the scan is synchronized with the injection of the contrast dye to create detailed, 3D-like images of your arteries and veins. A CTA is invaluable for detecting:

• Aneurysms (bulges in the wall of a blood vessel)
• Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), which are tangled connections between arteries and veins
• Stenosis (narrowing) or blockages in blood vessels

When our radiologists at Cadabams Diagnostics review your scan, they are meticulously looking for specific signs and abnormalities. Key parameters include:

• Presence of Blood (Hemorrhage): Identifying any bleeding within the brain tissue or in the spaces surrounding it.
• Signs of Stroke (Ischemia): Looking for areas of the brain that may have been damaged due to a lack of blood flow.
• Skull Fractures: Detecting any breaks or cracks in the bones of the skull.
• Brain Swelling (Edema): Assessing for swelling of the brain tissue, which can occur after an injury or stroke.
• Tumors or Abnormal Masses: Identifying any unusual growths, cysts, or masses.
• Fluid Build-up (Hydrocephalus): Checking for excess cerebrospinal fluid in the brain's ventricles.

Your doctor may order this test to investigate a wide range of urgent or persistent symptoms, including:

• Head Trauma/Injury: To assess for fractures, bleeding, or other brain injuries after an accident.
• Sudden Severe Headache: Especially a "thunderclap headache" that reaches maximum intensity within a minute, which could signal a brain bleed.
• Symptoms of Stroke: Such as facial drooping, arm weakness, or speech difficulty (remember the F.A.S.T. acronym: Face, Arms, Speech, Time).
• Seizures: Particularly for a first-time seizure, to rule out an underlying structural cause.
• Persistent Dizziness or Vertigo: To investigate potential causes within the brain.
• Changes in Mental Status or Behaviour: Including sudden confusion, disorientation, or personality changes.

Benefits of Taking the Test

Choosing to have a CT scan of the brain offers several key advantages:

• Speed: The scan itself is extremely fast, often completed in under a minute of imaging time. This makes it the ideal test for emergencies where a quick diagnosis can save lives and preserve brain function.
• Accuracy: It is highly accurate and reliable for diagnosing acute conditions such as hemorrhagic strokes, bone injuries, and significant brain trauma.
• Accessibility: CT scanners are widely available in hospitals and diagnostic centers like Cadabams Diagnostics, ensuring you can get the test you need without a long wait.

Illnesses Diagnosed with CT scan of the Brain

This scan directly addresses the question, what does a ct scan of the brain show? It is a powerful tool for diagnosing a number of serious conditions:

• Hemorrhagic and Ischemic Strokes: It can quickly differentiate between a stroke caused by bleeding and one caused by a clot.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Including concussions, contusions (bruising of the brain), and skull fractures.
• Brain Tumors and Cysts: Both cancerous and non-cancerous growths can often be identified.
• Hydrocephalus: An abnormal build-up of fluid on the brain.
• Aneurysms and Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs): Especially when a CT Angiography (CTA) is performed.
• Infections and Abscesses: Pockets of infection within the brain tissue.

Preparation is simple and depends on whether you are having a scan with or without contrast.

• For a scan WITHOUT contrast: No special preparation is typically required. You can eat, drink, and take your medications as usual.
• For a scan WITH contrast: You may be asked to fast (not eat or drink anything) for 2 to 4 hours before your appointment. This reduces the risk of nausea if you have a reaction to the dye.

For all scans, it is best to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. You will be asked to remove any metal objects, such as jewellery, eyeglasses, dentures, and hairpins, as metal can interfere with the CT images.

Pre-requisites

• You must have a referral or prescription from your doctor to undergo a CT scan of the brain.
• It is crucial to inform our staff if you have any pre-existing kidney problems or a known allergy to iodine or contrast material. This information is vital for determining if a contrast scan is safe for you.
• For scans with contrast, your doctor may order a simple blood test to check your kidney function (creatinine level) beforehand.

Best Time to Take the CT Scan of the Brain

• Emergency: In situations like a suspected stroke or severe head injury, a CT scan is performed immediately, at any time of day or night.
• Non-Urgent: For non-urgent cases, the scan can be scheduled at your convenience during the operational hours of Cadabams Diagnostics.

Eligibility

A CT scan of the brain is generally safe for almost everyone. However, special considerations are taken for certain individuals:

• Pregnancy: Please inform your doctor and our radiographer if you are or think you might be pregnant.
• Kidney Function: Patients with severe kidney disease may not be eligible for a scan with contrast dye.
• Allergies: If you have a known severe allergy to iodine, a contrast-enhanced scan is usually avoided.

Procedure for Taking a CT Scan of the Brain

Understanding the head ct scan procedure can help ease any anxiety. At Cadabams Diagnostics, our team will guide you through every step.

• Step 1: You will be asked to lie down on a narrow, motorized table, usually on your back. A special cradle or strap may be gently placed around your head to help you remain comfortable and still during the scan.

• Step 2: The table will slowly slide into the center of the large, doughnut-shaped CT machine. Only the part of your body being scanned (your head) will be inside the scanner ring.

• Step 3: If your test requires contrast, the dye will be administered through a small IV line placed in a vein in your arm. You might feel a warm sensation or a metallic taste in your mouth as the dye circulates – this is normal and temporary.

• Step 4: As the scanner rotates around you to capture images, you will hear whirring and buzzing sounds. The table may move slightly between scans. The technologist will be in an adjacent control room but can see, hear, and speak to you at all times.

• Step 5: The entire procedure is very quick. The scanning itself usually takes less than a minute, with the total time in the room typically being around 10-15 minutes.

Caution Before Taking the Test

For your safety, please ensure you tell the radiographer about the following before your scan begins:

• If you are or could be pregnant.
• Any known allergies, especially to medications, iodine, or seafood.
• A complete list of medications you are taking. It is particularly important to mention if you take Metformin for diabetes, as you may need to temporarily stop it after a contrast scan.