CT SCAN OF LEFT HAND

A Hand CT Scan is a powerful and highly detailed diagnostic imaging test that provides a clear view of the complex structures within your hand. It is a quick, painless, and non-invasive procedure that uses specialized X-ray equipment and advanced computer processing to create cross-sectional images of the hand, wrist, and fingers. Its primary purpose is to allow radiologists and your doctor to visualize your bones, joints, and surrounding soft tissues in much greater detail than a standard X-ray, leading to a more accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan.

At Cadabams Diagnostics, we utilize state-of-the-art CT technology to ensure you receive the clearest possible images with the utmost care and precision.

What is a Hand CT Scan?

Computed Tomography, commonly known as a CT scan, works by combining a series of X-ray images taken from many different angles around your hand. A sophisticated computer then processes these images to create detailed, slice-by-slice views of your hand's anatomy. These individual "slices" can be digitally stacked to form a three-dimensional (3D) image, giving your doctor an unparalleled view of the bones and their alignment.

This level of detail is a significant advantage. While a standard X-ray provides a flat, two-dimensional image, a Hand CT Scan eliminates the overlap of structures, making it far superior for assessing complex fractures, bone abnormalities, and joint conditions.

Types of Hand CT Scan

Depending on the reason for your scan, your doctor will order one of two types. Understanding the difference can help you prepare for your appointment.

• Hand CT Scan without Contrast: This is the most common type of hand scan. It does not require any injections and is exceptionally good at visualizing bone structures. It is the standard procedure for identifying and assessing most fractures, dislocations, and bone alignment issues.

• Hand CT Scan with Contrast: For this procedure, an iodine-based sterile solution (contrast dye) is injected into a vein, usually in your arm. This dye travels through your bloodstream and highlights blood vessels and certain tissues, making them appear brighter on the scan. This helps radiologists identify and characterize issues such as tumors, infections, or areas of inflammation. The decision of a hand ct scan with or without contrast is made by your referring doctor to ensure the scan provides the most relevant diagnostic information.

A radiologist meticulously examines the images from your Hand CT Scan, looking at several key anatomical structures and parameters. This detailed evaluation is crucial for a comprehensive diagnosis.

• Bones: The primary focus is often on the 27 bones of the hand and wrist. The scan can detect:

  • Fractures: Especially subtle or complex breaks that are hard to see on an X-ray, such as a scaphoid fracture.
  • Alignment: The exact position of bone fragments after a fracture (displacement) and the overall alignment of the wrist and finger bones.
  • Healing: Signs of proper bone healing (callus formation) or complications like non-union (a fracture that fails to heal).
  • Degenerative Changes: Evidence of bone spurs, cysts, or other arthritic changes.

• Joints: The scan provides a clear view of the many small joints in the hand and wrist, assessing:

  • Joint Spaces: Narrowing of the space between bones is a key sign of osteoarthritis.
  • Articular Cartilage: While cartilage itself isn't seen perfectly, damage can be inferred from the underlying bone condition.
  • Dislocations: Clear visualization of whether a bone has been displaced from its normal position in a joint.

• Soft Tissues: Although MRI is the gold standard for soft tissue, a CT can still provide valuable information about:

  • Foreign Bodies: Locating splinters, glass, or metal fragments embedded in the tissue after an injury.
  • Calcifications: Deposits of calcium in tendons or other soft tissues.
  • Masses: The presence of large masses, cysts, or bone tumors.
  • Swelling: Significant fluid collections or swelling around an injury.

Your physician will order this test to get definitive answers for a range of symptoms and conditions, including:

• To accurately evaluate complex fractures that involve a joint (intra-articular fractures).
• To diagnose fractures in the small carpal bones (wrist bones) like the scaphoid or hamate, which are known for healing complications.
• To assess carpal bone instability, arthritis, and the extent of joint damage.
• To create a detailed 3D model for planning complex hand surgery, such as fracture repair or joint reconstruction.
• To detect or characterize bone tumors (both benign and malignant) or infections like osteomyelitis.
• To precisely locate a foreign object embedded in the hand after a penetrating injury.

When and Who Needs to Take a Hand CT Scan?

Your doctor may recommend a Hand CT Scan for several reasons. The most common indications include:

• Following significant trauma, such as a fall onto an outstretched hand, a sports injury, or a crush injury.
• When a complex fracture is suspected, especially one involving the small carpal bones of the wrist or extending into a joint.
• If a standard X-ray is inconclusive or does not provide enough information for a definitive diagnosis.

This test is often necessary for individuals experiencing:

• Persistent hand or wrist pain, swelling, or tenderness
• Limited range of motion or weakness
• Suspected complications from a previous fracture (e.g., poor healing)
• Symptoms of arthritis
• As part of essential pre-surgical planning to guide a complex operation

Benefits of Taking the Test

Opting for a Hand CT Scan at Cadabams Diagnostics offers several key advantages:

• High Accuracy: Provides extremely detailed, cross-sectional images for a precise diagnosis.
• Speed: The scanning process is very fast, often completed in just a few minutes.
• Painless: The procedure itself is completely non-invasive and painless.
• Bone and Joint Expertise: It is the best imaging modality for evaluating complex bone and joint issues.
• Treatment Guidance: The detailed information is crucial for guiding surgical interventions and developing effective treatment plans, improving patient outcomes.

Illnesses Diagnosed with CT scan of the Left Hand

The precision of a CT scan allows for the confident diagnosis of numerous conditions, such as:

• Complex fractures (e.g., scaphoid, hook of hamate, Barton's, Rolando's fractures)
• Arthritis (primarily Osteoarthritis, but can show bone erosions from Rheumatoid Arthritis)
• Benign and malignant bone tumors
• Dislocations and subluxations (partial dislocations) of the wrist and finger joints
• Non-union or malunion of fractures (improper or failed healing)
• Osteomyelitis (bone infection)
• Avascular necrosis (death of bone tissue due to a lack of blood supply), particularly of the scaphoid or lunate bones.

Preparation for your scan is simple and straightforward.

• Clothing: Please wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to your appointment.
• Jewelry: You will need to remove all metal objects from the hand and arm being scanned. This includes rings, watches, and bracelets, as metal can interfere with the CT images.
• Diet: For a scan without contrast, there are no dietary restrictions. You can eat and drink normally. If your scan is scheduled with contrast, you may be asked to fast for 2-4 hours before your appointment. Our staff will provide you with specific instructions when you schedule.

Pre-requisites

• A doctor's referral or prescription is required to undergo a Hand CT Scan.
• If you are scheduled for a scan with contrast, your doctor may ask for recent blood test results to check your kidney function (e.g., creatinine levels).

Best Time to Take the Hand CT Scan

A Hand CT Scan can be performed at any time. It is frequently performed as an urgent or emergency procedure immediately following an injury to determine the extent of the damage. For chronic conditions or surgical planning, it can be scheduled at your convenience.

Eligibility

Most people are eligible for a Hand CT Scan. However, it is crucial that you inform our technologist and staff about the following conditions before your scan:

• Pregnancy: Please inform us if you are, or if there is any possibility you might be, pregnant.
• Allergies: Let us know if you have any known allergies, especially to iodine or shellfish, as this is important if you are having a scan with contrast dye.
• Medical History: Inform us about any previous reactions to contrast dye, kidney problems, or if you have diabetes.

Procedure for Taking a Hand CT Scan

Understanding the hand computed tomography procedure can help you feel more comfortable and prepared for your visit.

1. Positioning: A friendly technologist will greet you and explain the procedure. You will be asked to either sit in a chair or lie on the comfortable scanner table. You will then place your hand, palm down, into a special cradle or holder on the scanner table to help you keep it perfectly still.
2. Scanning: The technologist will move to an adjacent control room, from where they will operate the scanner. The table will then move slowly through the center of the large, donut-shaped CT scanner. It is essential to keep your hand and arm completely still during the scan to ensure the images are clear and sharp. You may hear whirring or clicking sounds as the machine operates.
3. Communication: Though in a separate room, the technologist can see, hear, and speak to you at all times through an intercom system. They will let you know what is happening at each stage.
4. Duration: The scan itself is very quick and typically takes less than 5 minutes. Your entire appointment at Cadabams Diagnostics will likely last between 15 and 30 minutes.

Caution Before Taking the Test

For your safety, please be sure to tell the technologist if you:

• Are pregnant or think you might be pregnant.
• Have any known allergies, especially to medications or iodine.
• Have ever had a bad reaction to X-ray contrast dye.
• Have serious kidney problems, diabetes, or heart disease.
• Are taking certain medications, particularly Metformin for diabetes, as you may be advised to temporarily stop taking it after a contrast scan.