Here's How to Use the Correct Female Condom

Head CT scan is a medical examination that combines X-ray technology with a computer system to produce images of various tissues and structures inside the head, such as the skull, brain, paranasal sinuses and eye sockets.

Head CT scan is useful for assisting the doctor in diagnosing a condition associated with an injury or injury to the head as well as determining the treatment plan to be used. In addition, doctors can also use a CT scan of the head to guide medical procedures, such as surgery, biopsy, or radiation therapy for brain cancer.

Head CT Scan Indications

Head CT scan is capable of producing more detailed images, fast, and accurate compared to ordinary X-rays, so as to provide more data related to the medical information needed. Head CT scans are usually used to detect the following conditions:

• Abnormalities or fractures of the skull
• Abnormal blood vessels
• Brain tissue atrophy
• Birth defects
• Brain aneurysms
• Bleeding in the brain
• Fluid buildup in the skull
• Infection or inflammation
• Injury to the head, face, or brain
• Stroke
• Brain tumor
• Enlargement of the brain cavity in people with hydrocephalus

Your doctor may also recommend a CT scan of your head if you experience symptoms such as:

• Fainting
• Severe headache
• Seizures
• Sudden changes in behavior or thinking
• Impaired hearing or vision
• Muscle weakness, numbness and tingling
• Difficulty speaking
• Difficulty swallowing

Preparation Before Head CT Scan

Here are some preparations that need to be done patients before undergoing a head CT scan procedure:

• Wearing comfortable and loose clothing as a precaution when not given special clothes during the procedure
• Removing metal objects that stick to the body, including eyeglass jewelry, dentures, hair clips, hearing aids, bras with wires, and piercings
• Abstain from food or drink for several hours before undergoing a procedure
• Inform the doctor about all Medicines taken and allergies that are owned
• Inform the doctor about the symptoms or history of illness, especially heart disease, asthma, diabetes, or kidney
• Notify the doctor if you are pregnant or have possibility of pregnancy

Head CT Scan

Head CT scan is generally painless, the process is quick, and easy. Usually, this examination can take 10–15 minutes. The following are the stages of a head CT scan:

• The patient will be asked to lie on his back on a bed that has been adjusted according to the examination needs.
• Straps and pillows can be used for help the patient stay in the correct position and stay still during the procedure.
• The staff will monitor and communicate with the patient through an intercom that is connected to both rooms.
• During the examination, the patient is not allowed to move so that the results of the image are clear and not blurry.
• In certain conditions, the patient may be given a sedative so that he does not move much, because movement will affect the results of the image.
• In some examinations CT scan, a contrast agent can be used to clarify the visualization of the head area to be analyzed.
• During the examination, the patient's bed will move slowly into the CT scan, which is shaped like a donut with a terowonga. n short in the middle.
• The scanner will start rotating around the patient, then the X-ray will pass through the body and start scanning.
• Data from the X-ray is detected by the scanner and sent to computer to get detailed and in-depth 2D or 3D images.
• The patient may be asked to hold his breath during the procedure.
• After the procedure is complete, the patient will be discharged from the scanner.

After a head CT scan

There are several things after a head CT scan that are important to know, namely:

• After the scanning process is complete, the patient will be asked to wait until the officer verifies that the image is of good quality to be analyzed accurately.
• The patient is allowed to go home and resume normal activities after the results of the CT scan of the head are considered good enough. .
• The results will be reviewed by a radiologist. If necessary, the doctor will advise the patient to undergo another examination to get a more accurate examination result.
• A follow-up CT scan of the head is also sometimes needed to monitor whether the treatment is successful or whether the abnormality has changed.
• If abnormalities are found, the doctor will determine the appropriate treatment according to the patient's condition.

Side Effects of CT Scan

CT scan head is classified as a relatively safe procedure and does not cause direct side effects. However, a CT scan that uses a contrast agent usually carries a risk of side effects. Some of the common side effects are:

• Feeling like burning and a metallic taste in the mouth when the contrast agent enters the blood vessels
• Nausea, vomiting, itching, or sneeze at people who are allergic to iodine contained in contrast agents

You don't need to worry too much because the allergic reaction is actually only mild, harmless, and usually lasts less than 1 minute.

In addition to the risk of allergies due to the use of contrast agents, the use of CT scans with high radiation levels is known to have a risk of causing cancer. However, the likelihood is still very small and the benefits of an accurate CT scan far outweigh the risks.

For pediatric patients who tend to be more sensitive to radiation exposure, a head CT scan is usually performed if it is very important. necessary and at a low dose.

These are some of the important things you need to know about head CT scans. If you still have questions about this medical procedure, you can consult a radiologist before undergoing it.

Label : Health cat_Health