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Click on the image to
see a a CT Scan of the brain... |
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A CT scanner uses a computer to turn x-rays into a picture of the bones
and soft-tissues. In the 1980's it was used to image the spine, but it's
been replaced by MRI in the
1990's. It's still the test of choice to find big problems in the brain
like hemorrhage, tumors, and fractures of the skull. While it's a frequent
test given to patients who have headache after a car accident, it's very
rarely helpful (positive in much less than 1 in 1,000 cases) if there are
no neurologic signs present. In general, CT Scan is not a helpful test for
the vast majority of patients with soft-tissue injuries due to a car
wreck. |
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CT-Scans can be very good for looking for
arthritis that
may be pinching nerves when combined with a myelogram (CT-Myelogram). |
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Expect to spend about 20-30 minutes lying on a table and surrounded by a
doughnut shaped ring. You'll hear whirling noises as the x-ray camera
spins around in the doughnut. Sometimes IV contrast is used, so let the
tech know if you've ever had a reaction to an x-ray dye. |
