Sinus CT scan

A CT or CAT scan is a shortened name for computed tomography. A CT scan uses special x-ray technology to take pictures of the inside of the body from many angles. The pictures are more detailed than a typical x-ray. During a CT scan of the sinuses, pictures are taken of cross-sections or slices of the sinuses. CT scans can identify problems with your sinuses. Your doctor will use this information to determine the best treatment for you. The CT scan may show obstructions in your sinuses or other abnormalities. However, CT scans of healthy people without sinus problems have found that it's possible to have obstructions and other abnormalities without having symptoms, so this information must be combined with other observations about your symptoms.

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A CT scan of the sinuses takes about 15 minutes. It does not hurt. The radiology technologist will explain the CT scan to you before you start. Before the study, you will need to remove glasses, earrings, hearing aids, and dental appliances. Avoid doing a nasal wash in the 24 hours before a sinus CT scan so the CT scan shows your nasal passages in their unwashed state.

During the scan, you lie on a table while a doughnut-shaped ring moves over. The table will move through the ring while pictures are taken. It is important to lie still while the images are taken.

Young children may have trouble lying still during the CT scan. If this is the case, the child may be given medicine to make him or her sleepy first.