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CT scans are frequently used to evaluate the temporal bones.  Temporal bone CTs, also known as mastoid bone CTs are typically ordered to evaluate the outer ear, bones of the ear and inner ear structures for infection, tumor, injury or congenital or acquired hearing disorders.  Below are a few common diagnoses that a CT scan of the temporal bones detect.

Mastoiditis - This is an infection of the air filled parts of the temporal bone, located just behind your ear. The infection can be aggressive and erode the bone. Symptoms include dizziness, hearing loss, and pain for example. In extreme cases the infection can extend to the nearby brain. This can cause seizures.

Tumors - Tumors can be from the temporal bone itself or arise in and around the ear structures. These tumors can be either benign or malignant. Some tumors that affect this area include basal cell carcinoma, cholesteotomas, schwannomas, neuromas, and cholesterol granulomas. Symptoms vary but can include pain, hearing loss, and dizziness.

Trauma - In severe head injuries, the temporal bone can fracture and injure the bones of the ear, the nerves that carry sound or damage the facial nerve (and cause facial paralysis). 

An CT scan of the temporal bones will evaluate:

External ear

The outer ear, nearby tissues and the ear canal are well seen and part of the evaluation of the temporal bones. A temporal bone CT can evaluate a severe swimmer's ear infection - otitis externa. Surfer's also develop a bony growth in the ear which can lead to hearing impairment. This is called Surfer's ear.

Middle ear

This includes the ear bones (ossicles) and bone cavities that are involved in transmitting sound. Otitis media is an infection centered in the middle ear.

Inner ear

Sinuses

Portions of the sinuses are seen in a temporal bone CT and sinus disease may be detected.

Skull base

The skull base is a complex set of bones that protect and surround parts of important vessels and nerves. Erosion or injury to the bone can damage these structures. The carotid arteries which feed parts of your brain travel through the skull base.

Your Temporal Bone CT Scan

A temporal bone CT scan generally takes about 5 to 10 minutes or to complete. If you are going for one remember to remove hair pins, nearby piercings, earrings and necklaces as these metallic objects can interfere with the scan. These scans are done without IV contrast.

If you're insured, you may need to have your test authorized (approved) by your insurance company first. If you're uninsured and need to look up prices and buy an CT scan of the brain, you can use our website to look up CT scan costs and then purchase with your credit card.

Have you had a Temporal Bone CT scan? What was it like? Please leave your comments below.

CT scans are frequently used to evaluate the brain (head).  Brain CTs are typically ordered for many different symptoms such as headaches, weakness, seizures, confusion, etc to exclude a tumor, aneurysm or infection.  They are also used as a follow up test for patients with strokes, bleeds or surgery. Below are a few common diagnoses that a CT scan of the brain detect.

Aneurysm - Aneurysms are ballooning of vessels that risk rupturing. If blood leaks from the aneurysm patients describe the headache as a thunderclap and sharp/shooting pains. Patients can also have stroke-like symptoms with weakness, slurred speech and confusion. A Brain CT scan is the first test done to evaluate for a bleed.

Tumors - Tumors can be primary (from brain tissue) or secondary (from other sites, eg breast cancer). These typically present with headaches, weakness, and seizures. Head CT scans can be done without or with IV contrast to detect tumors.

Bleeding - Hemorrhage, aka bleeding, in the brain can be from trauma, ruptured aneurysms or tumors that bleed. CT scans are very sensitive to recent bleeds (especially within a few hours).

Stroke - Also known as a "brain attack", stroke refers to a blocked artery that deprives a part of the brain of blood (and therefore oxygen). This part of the brain loses it function and patients present with weakness, slurred speech, difficulty walking and on occasion, headaches. Head CT scans are a good first test to detect a stroke or determine if the symptoms are caused by another factor such as a bleed or a tumor.

An CT scan of the brain will evaluate:

Sinuses

A CT scan of the brain will include parts of the sinuses. Though not used to primarily look for sinus disease, the brain CT can pick up thickening of the sinus tissue (mucosa) or fluid in the sinuses.

Orbits

Brain CT scans can include parts of the orbits. It can pick up injury to the orbit and  diseases of the orbits such as large tumors, bleeds, inflammation, etc.

Bones

Brain matter

The white and gray matter of the brain are well seen. CT can detect tumors, infection, bleeds, stroke and congenital defects. Part of the pituitary gland, optic nerves and upper brainstem are also evaluated. A "routine" head CT is done without contrast.

Ventricles

These are the fluid filled structures inside the brain that help circulate cerberospinal fluid. Tumors and bleeds can extend into these structures and cause blockage which can lead to headaches, confusion and problems with walking for example. 

Your Brain CT Scan

A brain CT scan generally takes about 5 minutes or so to complete. If you are going for one remember to remove hair pins, piercings, earrings and necklaces as these metallic objects can interfere with the scan. Most scans are done without IV contrast. But if your doctor is looking for a tumor or infection this may be done with contrast.

If you're insured, you may need to have your test authorized (approved) by your insurance company first. If you're uninsured and need to look up prices and buy an CT scan of the brain, you can use our website to look up CT scan costs and then purchase with your credit card.

Have you had a Brain CT scan? What was it like? Please leave your comments below.

CT scans are frequently used to evaluate the chest. A chest CT scan is frequently ordered to look at the lungs, heart and nearby tissues. It may be ordered after a chest x-ray shows a lung nodule or to evaluate pneumonia and other lung diseases such as emphysema. Some chest CT scans are tailored to look for heart disease, aneurysms of the aorta or pulmonary emboli. Chest CT scans are also used to look for the spread or recurrence of cancer.

If you've been in an accident, a chest CT scan can detect a pneumothorax (air leak), fractures of the bones of the chest or bleeding.

A CT scan of the chest will evaluate:

Lungs

A chest CT scan will detect pneumonia, emphysema, lung scarring, pleural effusion (fluid on the lungs), pneumothorax (air leak), and lung cancer.

Mediastinum

The mediastinum refers to the part of the chest that contains your heart, vessels and the esophagus.  The chest CT will detect lymph nodes, tumors in the chest, heart disease, pericardial effusion (fluid around the heart), aneurysms of the aorta and pulmonary emboli (these cause sudden shortness of breath). It can also detect tumors or inflammation of the esophagus.

Bones

Your chest is protected by your ribs, sternum and the spine. A chest CT scan can detect fractures of these bones, tumors, infection or degenerative changes.

Other structures

A chest CT scan also includes parts of the upper abdomen and can pick up abnormalities of the liver, spleen and stomach.

Your Chest CT Scan

A chest CT generally takes about 5 minutes or so to complete.  Many chest CT scans are done with IV contrast.

If you're insured, you may need to have your test authorized (approved) by your insurance company first. If you're uninsured use our website to look up Chest CT scan costs, find a certified imaging center and buy your test with a credit card.

Have you had a Chest CT scan? What was it like? Please leave your comments below.

CT scans are frequently used to evaluate the sinuses, also called the paranasal sinuses. This test is frequently ordered to look for sinus disease. On your doctor's order you may see "r/o sinus disease", "h/o sinus disease", "allergy, cough, rhinitis"

(FYI - "r/o" is short for "rule out" and "h/o" stands for "history of")

A CT scan of the sinuses is usually ordered for sinus infection but is also done as part of a preoperative evaluation for sinus surgery. Sinus CT scans can also pick up tumors of the sinuses as well.

A CT scan of the sinuses will evaluate:

Sinus cavities

These are the air filled boney structures that make up the sinuses.  They are called the maxillary sinus, ethmoid air cells, frontal sinus and sphenoid sinus. All of these ultimately communicate with the nasal cavity via various passages and channels. If these passages are blocked, the normally secreted mucus can't escape and builds up causing pressure and pain.

Sinus Mucosa

The sinus cavities are lined by a thin layer of tissue called "mucosa". This tissue produces mucus. The mucosa can become inflamed causing symptoms related to sinusitis - pressure, pain, and sinus discharge for example.

Nasal Cavity

The nasal cavity contains boney structures called turbinates which are lined by mucosa as well. This tissue can become inflamed and give rise to nasal polyps which can cause stuffiness and difficulty breathing (through the nose).

Other structures

Other parts of the bones and tissues near your sinuses are included in a CT scan of the sinuses. These include the eyes, jaw bones, mouth and parts of the skull.

Your Sinus CT Scan

A sinus CT generally takes about 5 minutes or so to complete.  This scan can be done either laying flat on your back or on your stomach with your chin propped up by a soft pad.

If you're insured, you may need to have your test authorized (approved) by your insurance company first. If you're uninsured  use our website to look up CT sinus scan costs, find a certified imaging center and buy your test with a credit card.

Have you had a Sinus CT scan? What was it like? Please leave your comments below.

CT scans are used to detect and monitor many types of diseases. CT Angiograms are a specific type of CT scan that uses dye injected a high rate to evaluate the arteries of your body. Carotid CT Angiograms evaluate the vessels of the neck to look for aneurysms, vascular tumors, narrowing and blockage of the vessels of the neck, among others.

This CT scan uses special software to create realistic 3D images and gives the Radiologist interpreting the test the ability to look inside the vessels.

CT angiograms of the carotids are typically ordered for the evaluation of stroke to detect blockages and narrowing of the arteries in the neck caused by plaque that ultimately supply the brain. Symptoms related to stroke include:

• weakness
• sudden speech difficulties
• confusion, erratic behavior
• vertigo, dizziness
• pain, tingling
  
• numbness

CT Angiograms can diagnose:

Plaque - CT Angiograms of the carotids can detect soft and hard plaque deposits that overtime narrow the opening of the vessel leading to reduced blood flow to the brain. Some plaque can abruptly "tear" off sending bits of plaque into the brain, blocking small vessels. Sometimes these tiny blockages can be completely unnoticed and other times cause the symptoms of stroke. In some cases the vessel can narrow to a point and cause a rushing sound in the neck called a "bruit." The sound is blood trying to get through the narrow opening.

Dissection - This refers to a tear in the wall of the vessel. Think of it as a tear of the inner lining of the sleeve of a jacket. If you filled the inner lining of your jacket with down it would block the real opening for your arm.  In the artery the blood goes into the opening of the tear of the dissection, expands the false channel, potentially blocking the flow of blood to the brain and resulting in stroke like symptoms.

Aneurysms and Vascular Tumors - Aneurysms are ballooning of the vessels that can either disturb normal blood flow or by their shape and size press on nearby tissues and cause related symptoms such as neck pain, pressure, nerve blockage, etc. Vascular tumors may be picked as the vessels that feed them are large enough to be seen on a CT angiogram.

A CT Angiogram of the Carotids will evaluate:

Internal Carotid Arteries

The carotid vessels arise from the aorta in the chest and travel up the neck along both sides. The vessels splits in the neck with the "internal" segments feeding roughly the front 2/3 of brain tissue. The "external" segments feed the face and parts of the scalp and skull.

Vertebral and Basilar Arteries

The basilar artery is made up by two vertebral arteries which arise from vessels in the chest and travel up along both sides of the neck near the spine. This vessel feeds the brain stem and approximately the back 1/3 of the brain.

Aortic Arch

Neck soft tissues

Parts of the soft tissues of the neck are seen in a CT angiogram of the carotids. Occasionally large tumors, inflammation or other findings can be picked up. 

Your CT Angiogram of the Carotids:

This CT scan generally takes about 15 minutes or so to set up and complete. This test is always done with IV MRI contrast. Keep in mind that the dye is injected at a much higher rate than a standard CT. Therefore a larger IV is used for this test. Many patients feel sudden flashes of heat and a metallic taste in their mouth. You may also feel sudden warmth in your bladder.

If you're insured, you may need to have your test authorized (approved) by your insurance company first. If you're uninsured and need to look up prices and buy an CT Angiogram of the carotids, you can use our website to look up CT Angiogram costs and then purchase with your credit card.

Have you had a Carotid CT Angiogram scan? What was it like? Please leave your comments below.

CT scans are frequently used to evaluate the bony structures of the cervical spine, also known as the upper neck. If you've injured your neck or have chronic neck pain, your doctor will probably first order an x-ray. After an x-ray, a CT scan may be needed to evaluate the bones and soft tissue structures of the cervical spine in more detail. On your doctor's order for the CT scan you might see:

"r/o disc disease" -  this refers to the discs that act as shock absorbers between the vertebral bodies of the spine. They can be injured or "flatten" over time and bulge out and press on nerve roots. The CT scan can detect these narrowings.

"r/o stenosis" - this refers to narrowing of the spinal canal and openings for the nerve roots. Bulging discs and other degenerative changes like osteophytes of the spine can narrow the spinal canal, causing neck pain or weakness. CT scans are very good at looking for osteophytes which are bony outgrowths from the spine.

"r/o fracture" - CT scans can pick up fractures of the cervical spine and look for subtle alignment changes. Alignment changes can be due to injuries to the stabilizing ligaments of the spine or related to long term degenerative disc disease.

(FYI - "r/o" is short for "rule out")

A CT scan of the cervical spine will evaluate:

Bones

A cervical spine CT scan will include the cervical vertebral bodies, lamina, facets, spinous process and parts of the upper thoracic spine and lower skull. The cervical spine CT scan can detect bone fractures, tumors, infection and evaluate post-surgical changes. An CT scan can also determine the extent of degenerative changes (arthritis) and be used for pre-operative planning for spinal fusion.

Discs

Cervical spine CT scans are can evaluate  the discs between your vertebral bodies. A cervical spine CT scan can detect disc flattening, bulges, herniations, and infection (aka discitis).

Spinal Canal and Neural Foramina

Spinal nerves arise from spinal cord and leave the spinal canal through holes called the neural foramina. The canal and these exit points can be blocked and cause neck, shoulder, arm, hand pain or weakness.

Cerebellum and Brain Stem

Parts of the lower brain including the cerebellum are seen. Some cerebellar conditions such as Chiari malformations can present with neck pain. The brain stem is continuous with the upper cervical spinal cord though usually not a cause of issues with the cervical spine. 

Soft Tissues

This refers to the muscles and tissues around your cervical spine. The cervical spine CT scan can detect infections, fluid collections and tumors of these structures.

Your Cervical Spine CT Scan

A cervical spine CT generally takes about 15 minutes or so to complete.  If you've had surgery or have a history of cancer, you may might have to have the test done with IV contrast.

If you're insured, you may need to have your test authorized (approved) by your insurance company first. If you're uninsured  use our website to look up CT scan of the cervical spine scan costs, find a certified imaging center and buy your test with a credit card.

Have you had a Cervical Spine CT scan? What was it like? Please leave your comments below.

MRA stands for Magnetic Resonance Angiography. It is an MRI technique that specifically evaluates vessels such as arteries. Carotid MRAs evaluate the vessels of the neck to look for aneurysms, vascular tumors, narrowing and blockage of the vessels of the neck, among others. 

Carotid MRAs are typically ordered for the evaluation of stroke to detect blockages and narrowing of the arteries in the neck that ultimately supply the brain. Symptoms related to stroke include:

• weakness
• sudden speech difficulties
• confusion, erratic behavior
• vertigo, dizziness
• pain, tingling
  
• numbness

Carotid MRAs can diagnose:

Plaque - Carotid MRAs can detect plaque deposits that overtime can narrow the opening of the vessel leading to reduced blood flow to the brain. Some plaque can abruptly "tear" off sending bits of plaque up into the brain, blocking small vessels. Sometimes these tiny blockages can be completely unnoticed and other times cause the symptoms of stroke. In some cases the vessel can narrow to a point and cause a rushing sound in the neck called a "bruit." The sound is blood trying to get through the narrow opening. Carotid MRAs can also pick up complete blockages of these vessels as well.

Dissection - This refers to a tear in the wall of the vessel. Think of it as a tear of the inner lining of the sleeve of a jacket. If you filled the inner lining of your jacket with down it would block the real opening for your arm.  In the artery the blood goes into the opening of the tear of the dissection, expands the false channel, potentially blocking the flow of blood to the brain and resulting in stroke like symptoms.

Aneurysms and Vascular Tumors - Aneurysms are ballooning of the vessels that can either disturb normal blood flow or by their shape and size press on nearby tissues and cause related symptoms such as neck pain, pressure, nerve blockage, etc. Vascular tumors may be picked as the vessels that feed them are large enough to be seen on the MRA.

An MRA of the carotids will evaluate:

Internal Carotid Arteries

The carotid vessels arise from the aorta in the chest and travel up the neck along both sides. The vessels splits in the neck with the "internal" segments feeding roughly the front 2/3 of brain tissue. The "external" segments feed the face and parts of the scalp and skull.

Vereberal and Basilar Arteries

The basilar artery is made up by two vertebral arteries which arise from vessels in the chest and travel up along both sides of the neck near the spine. This vessel feeds the brain stem and approximately the back 1/3 of the brain.

Aortic Arch

Neck soft tissues

Parts of the soft tissues of the neck are seen in a Carotid MRA. Occasionally large tumors, unusual inflammation or other findings can be picked up. 

Your Carotid MRA Scan

A Carotid MRA generally takes about 10 to 15 minutes or so to complete. If you are going for one, wear loose comfortable clothing and remember to remove all metal (jewelry, phones, rings, etc) before going into the MRI scan room.  This test is occasionally done with IV MRI contrast.

If you're insured, you may need to have your test authorized (approved) by your insurance company first. If you're uninsured and need to look up prices and buy an MRA scan of the carotids, you can use our website to look up MRA scan costs and then purchase with your credit card.

Have you had a Carotid MRA scan? What was it like? Please leave your comments below.

CT scans are frequently used to evaluate the internal structures of the body. A variety of trends have increased the use of CT including new high resolution scanners that give greater anatomical detail and faster scanning time - scans that used to take minutes can now be done in seconds.

A CT scan of the Kidneys for stones is a CT scan test that specifically looks for stones in the Kidneys, Ureters and Bladder (therefore KUB). This scan is frequently done in the emergency room for patients with sudden onset sharp side and back pain who have blood in their urine. It's also ordered by outpatient doctors as well for similar symptoms. As an outpatient you may get an order from your doctor for:

"r/o renal stones" -  CT KUB is very good at picking up small and large calcified stones in the kidneys. It can also detect stones in the ureters which are small tubes that connect your kidneys (just under your rib cage) to your bladder (in the pelvis).

"h/o hematuria"- hematuria means blood in the urine. Stones can irritate the urinary drainage system leading to mild bleeding. The bleeding is usually detected on a urine lab test ("microscopic hematuria") or occasionally can present with obvious, visible bleeding ("gross hematuria").

"h/o flank pain" - renal stones occasionally cause dull or sharp pain along the sides of your lower chest and upper abdomen. Sometimes the pain can radiate to the pelvis and into the testicle or labia. This type of pain is can be seen with urinary medical issues.

(FYI - "r/o" is short for "rule out" and "h/o" is short for "history of")

An CT scan of the kidneys will evaluate:

Kidneys, Ureters, Bladder

A CT scan of the kidneys is designed to look for small (or large) stones that form in the kidneys and migrate into the ureters and bladder.

Liver, Gallbladder, Pancreas, etc

Since the CT scan includes nearby structures, many of the internal organs of the abdomen and pelvis will also be seen and can be evaluated. This includes the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, bowel loops, prostate, and uterus for example.

Your CT scan for stones:

Keep in mind that a CT scan for stones is actually two separate tests done together: a CT scan of the Abdomen and CT scan of the Pelvis. The test is usually done without IV dye contrast.

A CT scan of the stones takes about 5 minutes or so to complete once you're on the table. If you are going for one, wear loose comfortable clothing. If you're insured, you may need to have your test authorized (approved) by your insurance company first. If you're uninsured and need to look up prices and buy an CT scan of of the Kidneys (KUB) for stones, you can use our website. Click here to see CT scan costs.

Have you had a CT scan for stones? What was it like? Please leave your comments below.