CT PNS

A CT PNS (Computed Tomography of the Paranasal Sinuses) scan is an advanced imaging procedure that uses a series of X-ray beams and sophisticated computer processing to create detailed pictures of your sinus cavities. Instead of a single, flat image like a traditional X-ray, a CT scanner captures multiple images from different angles. A computer then processes these images to generate cross-sectional views, or "slices," of your anatomy.

These slices provide a highly detailed look at the air-filled sinus cavities (frontal, ethmoid, sphenoid, and maxillary), the delicate bones that form them, the nasal passages, and the surrounding structures. This level of detail is why a CT PNS is far superior to a standard X-ray for viewing s

Types of CT PNS Scan

There are two main types of CT PNS scans, and the one you receive depends on the specific information your doctor needs.

NCCT PNS (Non-Contrast CT)

This is by far the most common type of sinus scan. The NCCT PNS test is the standard procedure for evaluating inflammatory conditions like sinusitis, nasal polyps, and anatomical issues such as a deviated septum. "Non-contrast" simply means that the scan is performed without an injection of a special contrast dye. The natural contrast between bone, soft tissue, and air in the sinuses is sufficient for diagnosis in most cases.

CT PNS with Contrast

In rare situations, a CT PNS with contrast may be ordered. This involves injecting a special iodine-based dye into a vein in your arm before the scan. This dye travels through your bloodstream and helps to highlight blood vessels and areas of active inflammation or abnormal tissue. This type of scan is typically reserved for cases where there is a clinical suspicion of a tumor, an abscess (a collection of pus), or a complex infection that may have spread beyond the sinuses.

When a radiologist at Cadabams Diagnostics reviews your CT PNS images, they are meticulously examining a number of specific parameters and structures. These include:

• Anatomical Structures: A clear view of all four sets of paranasal sinuses: the frontal (forehead), ethmoid (between the eyes), sphenoid (deep in the skull), and maxillary (cheekbones).
• Patency of Sinus Drainage Pathways: Critically, the scan assesses the openness of the ostiomeatal complex (OMC), the primary drainage channel for the front half of the sinuses. Blockage here is a common cause of chronic sinusitis.
• Presence of Mucosal Thickening: Evaluating the lining of the sinuses for swelling and inflammation.
• Identification of Air-Fluid Levels: Looking for trapped fluid, which is a key indicator of an acute infection.
• Structural Issues: Checking for a deviated nasal septum, enlarged turbinates, or other anatomical variations that could impede airflow and drainage.
• Detection of Abnormal Growths: Identifying the presence of nasal polyps, cysts, mucoceles, or other masses within the nasal and sinus cavities.

The decision to order a CT PNS is based on the need for precise diagnostic information that cannot be obtained from a physical examination alone. Key reasons include:

• To diagnose Chronic Rhinosinusitis: This is the most common reason for a ct scan for sinusitis, as it can clearly show the extent of mucosal disease and any contributing anatomical factors.
• To evaluate complications of sinusitis: If an infection is suspected of spreading to the eyes or brain, a CT scan is urgently required.
• Pre-operative planning: To ensure a safe and successful outcome for nasal or sinus surgery (FESS).
• Assessing facial trauma: To check for fractures of the nasal bones, eye sockets, or sinus walls after an injury.
• Investigating persistent headaches or facial pain: When other causes have been ruled out, a CT scan can determine if a sinus problem is the source.

When and Who Needs to Take a CT PNS Scan?

Your doctor may recommend a CT PNS scan under several circumstances, primarily when sinus-related symptoms are severe, persistent, or complex. You might need this scan if you are:

• A patient with chronic or recurrent sinusitis: If you've been suffering from sinusitis for more than 12 weeks, or if infections keep coming back despite standard treatments like antibiotics and nasal sprays, a CT scan can help identify the underlying cause.
• An individual being evaluated for sinus surgery: A CT PNS is essential for pre-operative planning. It acts as a "road map" for surgeons performing procedures like Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS), helping them to navigate the complex sinus anatomy safely and effectively.
• A person with persistent or unusual symptoms: If you experience ongoing symptoms such as facial pain or pressure, chronic nasal blockage, a diminished or complete loss of smell, or persistent headaches that haven't been explained, a CT scan can provide a definitive diagnosis.

Benefits of Taking the Test

Undergoing a CT PNS scan at Cadabams Diagnostics offers several important benefits for you and your healthcare provider:

• Provides a Definitive Diagnosis: It offers unparalleled detail, allowing for a precise and accurate diagnosis of your condition.
• Guides Treatment: The findings help your doctor choose the most effective treatment, whether it's targeted medication or surgery.
• Creates a Surgical "Road Map": For patients needing surgery, the scan is invaluable for planning the procedure and avoiding complications.
• Fast and Efficient: The scanning process itself is extremely quick, often taking less than a minute. The entire appointment is typically short and convenient.
• Non-Invasive: For a standard scan, there are no needles or injections involved, and the procedure is completely painless.

Illnesses Diagnosed with CT PNS

A single CT PNS scan can help identify a wide range of conditions affecting the nasal and sinus region. These include:

• Chronic and Acute Sinusitis
• Nasal Polyps
• A severely Deviated Septum
• Fungal Sinusitis (Allergic and Invasive)
• Benign or Malignant Sinus Tumors
• Mucoceles (blocked, expanded sinuses)
• Fractures of the facial bones and sinus walls

Preparation for a routine CT PNS scan is very simple.

• Diet: There are no food or drink restrictions. You can eat and drink normally before your appointment for a standard non-contrast scan (the ncct pns test).
• Clothing: It's best to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes. You may be asked to change into a medical gown if your clothing has metal zippers or buttons near the head and neck area.
• Metal Objects: Metal can interfere with the CT images. You will be asked to remove any jewelry (especially earrings and necklaces), eyeglasses, dentures, hearing aids, and hairpins before the scan.

Pre-requisites

To ensure the test is medically appropriate, a doctor's referral or prescription for the CT PNS scan is required. No other prior tests are typically necessary.

Best Time to Take the CT PNS Scan

There is no "best" time medically to have the scan. It can be performed at any time of day, and scheduling is simply based on your convenience and the availability at our Cadabams Diagnostics center.

Eligibility

The CT PNS scan is a very safe procedure suitable for most individuals, from children to adults. The only major exception is for patients who are or may be pregnant. It is essential to inform our staff if you are pregnant, as the scan will only be performed if absolutely necessary for your health.

Procedure for Taking a CT PNS Scan

Understanding the paranasal sinus ct scan procedure can help you feel more comfortable on the day of your appointment. Here is a step-by-step guide to what you can expect at Cadabams Diagnostics:

• Step 1 (Check-in & Preparation): You will arrive at our center and check in at the front desk. Our staff will confirm your details and the scan ordered by your doctor. A technologist will ask you a few safety questions, including confirming the possibility of pregnancy.
• Step 2 (Positioning): The technologist will lead you to the CT room and ask you to lie down on your back on the padded scanner table. They will help you get comfortable and may place your head in a special cradle to help you keep it still during the scan.
• Step 3 (Scanning): The technologist will slide the table into the center of the large, doughnut-shaped CT scanner. They will operate the machine from an adjacent control room where they can see, hear, and speak to you throughout the scan. The scanner will make quiet whirring and clicking sounds as it rotates around your head to capture the images. You will not feel anything.
• Step 4 (Instructions): To ensure the images are perfectly clear, the technologist may ask you to hold your breath for a few seconds at a time. It is crucial to remain as still as possible during the image acquisition phase.
• Step 5 (Completion): The actual scanning process is very fast, often taking less than five minutes from start to finish. Once all the images have been captured, the technologist will slide the table back out of the scanner, and you will be free to get up.

Caution Before Taking the Test

Crucial: For your safety and the safety of your developing baby, you must inform both the referring doctor and the CT technologist at Cadabams Diagnostics if there is any possibility that you are pregnant.