CT Whole Body Angiography

HRCT WITHOUT CONTRAST is a specialised CT technique that captures ultra-thin images of the lung parenchyma without intravenous dye. At Cadabams Diagnostics, the scan takes 5–10 minutes, uses 40 % less radiation than conventional CT, and costs 30 % less than contrast studies.

High-Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) is an advanced imaging method that:

• Uses 0.6–1 mm slice thickness
• Reconstructs images with a high-spatial-frequency algorithm
• Operates WITHOUT CONTRAST to avoid allergy risks and kidney load
• Detects early lung damage sooner than routine X-ray or standard CT

1. Prone HRCT – images taken lying on your stomach; improves visualisation of early fibrosis
2. Supine HRCT – standard lying-on-back position
3. Expiratory HRCT – checks for air-trapping in small airways
4. Serial HRCT – low-dose yearly scans for disease monitoring All variants can be performed WITHOUT CONTRAST at Cadabams Diagnostics on the same visit.

• Slice thickness & interval
• Reconstruction algorithm (bone/edge-enhancing)
• Window levels: lung (-700 HU) and mediastinal (40 HU)
• Dose-length product (DLP) for radiation tracking
• Field of view tailored to body size

• Detect ground-glass opacities before they worsen
• Stage idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
• Rule out bronchiectasis in chronic infection
• Quantify COVID-19 lung involvement percentage
• Assess treatment response in sarcoidosis

Consider HRCT WITHOUT CONTRAST if you:

• Have a cough lasting >3 weeks
• Were exposed to tuberculosis, mould, or industrial dust
• Live with asthma, COPD, or pulmonary fibrosis
• Need pre-surgical lung mapping or post-COVID follow-up
• Are a smoker over 40 undergoing lung-cancer screening question.

• No IV line, no dye, zero contrast allergy risk
• 10-minute appointment; report ready in 30 minutes
• 40 % radiation reduction with iterative reconstruction
• Same-day referral to Cadabams pulmonology team if needed
• Cashless insurance approved

• Interstitial lung disease
• Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
• Silicosis & asbestosis
• Small-airway disease / bronchiolitis
• Lung nodules, early-stage cancer
• Post-COVID lung scarring

1. Wear metal-free clothing or change into our gown
2. Remove necklaces, bras with underwire, and piercings
3. No fasting required—eat and drink normally
4. Bring prior films or CDs for comparison
5. Arrive 15 minutes early for registration

• Doctor’s prescription (digital copy accepted)
• Valid ID for registration
• Previous CT/X-ray reports, if any
• For females: pregnancy declaration form

Morning slots (8 am–11 am) are ideal; shorter wait, lower patient load, and fresher technologist teams. Urgent scans are accommodated 24×7 at our main centre.

• Adults and children >5 years (pediatric dose protocol)
• BMI limit: up to 180 kg table capacity
• Not recommended in first-trimester pregnancy
• Kidney function irrelevant because scan is WITHOUT CONTRAST

1. Check-in at reception with prescription
2. Change into gown; locker for valuables provided
3. Lie on CT couch; technician positions you arms-over-head
4. 3-second breath-hold instructions given via intercom
5. Machine table moves twice (supine & optional prone)
6. Total scanning time: 2 minutes; entire visit: 10 minutes
7. Images reviewed by radiologist; report printed and emailed

• Declare pregnancy or suspected pregnancy
• Inform staff if you weigh >150 kg so we adjust dose
• Stay still during breath-hold to avoid motion artefacts
• Asthmatic? Bring your inhaler in case of coughing fit

Risks

• Radiation exposure: ~1.5 mSv (equal to 6 months of natural background)
• Not suitable for pregnant women unless absolutely necessary Limitations
• Cannot evaluate pulmonary embolism without contrast
• Small nodules <3 mm may need serial scans for growth assessment