Computed tomography of head and brain in Kharkiv

Computed tomography of head and brain is a non-invasive diagnostic method based on the use of X-rays. X-ray examination of head is not as informative as it is taken in one plane, while CT provides a three-dimensional image that can be viewed as sections.

You can undergo CT of head at the medical center “ON Clinic Kharkiv”. Diagnostics is carried out on Siemens SOMATOM go.Up computed tomography machine, which provides fast and accurate head scans at low radiation exposure.

Procedure of CT of head 

If computed tomography of head is performed without contrast agent, preliminary preparation is not required for it. Contrast CT is done on an empty stomach; you cannot eat or drink 6-8 hours before it starts. Immediately before the diagnostics, the patient must take off metal objects (jewelry, piercings, clothes with metal inserts).

For CT of head, the patient lies down on the table in the CT scanner. During the examination, X-ray sensors rotate around his/her head, transmitting an image to the monitor. You cannot move during the examination. On average, a diagnosis without contrast takes 5 minutes, and examination with contrast agent administration takes 15-20 minutes. The patient receives the results of CT of head immediately after it.

Contrast CT of head in Kharkiv

Contrast CT of head is done with an iodine-based drug injected into a vein. At the moment of spreading through the bloodstream, the contrast agent stains the vessels and accumulates in the tissues. Due to staining, the areas of the inflammatory process and neoplasms are most clearly identified. Contrast CT of head is prescribed for better visualization and improvement of the quality of the examination data.

What is examined during CT of head

CT of head examines for the presence or absence of congenital anomalies in the development of brain, inflammation, cysts, excess fluid, and other abnormalities. Diagnostics includes examination of nasopharynx, base of the skull, sinuses, orbits, bones of the skull and brain.

At the medical center “ON Clinic Kharkiv”, it is possible to carry out a general CT of head and CT of organs of the head area:

• CT of nasopharynx;
• CT of base of skull;
• CT of eye orbits;
• CT of sinuses;
• CT of skull bones;
• CT of brain;
• CT of cervical soft tissues;
• CT of larynx;
• CT of oropharynx;
• CT of tongue;
• CT of salivary glands. 

Only a doctor can interpret the results of CT of head. Therefore, after the examination, it is necessary to consult with a specialized specialist. So, if brain examination was carried out, you should make appointment with neuropathologist, and after examining the skull bones - with a surgeon.

Contrast CT of brain in Kharkiv

Contrast CT of brain is most often performed to detect abnormalities of the cerebral vessels. Contrasting allows you to visualize aneurysms, blood clots, stenoses and vascular malformations (congenital anomalies or abnormalities in the structure of blood vessels) in the images. Due to the contrast and ultra-thin partitions of SOMATOM go.Up tomograph (only 0.5 mm thick), even small blood vessels are examined during the contrast CT of brain.

CT of sinuses in Kharkiv

CT of sinuses can detect the presence of polyps, cysts, and other neoplasms in paranasal sinuses. In addition, CT shows signs of inflammation, blood and pus in the cavities.

CT of sinuses is prescribed in the following cases:

• inflammatory diseases of paranasal sinuses;
• diagnostics of sinusitis;

 assessment of thickening of the sinuses lining;

• planning of endoscopic operations;
• anomalies in the development of nasal sinuses;
• suspicions of loss of integrity of the facial skull bones.

CT of neck and cervical vessels in Kharkiv 

CT of neck and cervical vessels allows to establish the diameter of the vessels, as well as to examine the structural features and the relative position of the veins and arteries. During the diagnostics, atherosclerosis of the arterial walls, vasoconstriction and the presence of bypass blood flow paths are determined.

CT scan of neck and cervical vessels shows the following pathologies:

• angiopathy;
• atherosclerotic plaques on the arterial walls;
• vasculitis;
• vascular networks of neoplasms;
• traumatic vascular injury;
• thrombosis.

Indications and contraindications for CT of head and brain

CT of head and brain is prescribed for suspected fractures of skull bones, intracranial hemorrhage, and for the treatment of migraines. The examination allows diagnosing quickly the ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, as well as predicting the final degree of ischemic damage to the brain tissue.

Indications for CT of head and brain can be also the following:

• sudden impairment of vision or hearing;
• hydrocephalus;
• monitoring the patient's condition after undergoing operations; 
• pathology of dentition;
• preparation for surgical treatment;
• craniocerebral trauma.

 Conducting CT of head and brain without contrast is contraindicated for women during pregnancy and lactation, as well as for children under 12 years, although in some cases it is permissible to carry out diagnostics from 3 years. It is possible to do CT of head of a child from 3 years old if he/she can lie still during the examination.

Contraindications for contrast CT of head and brain are the following:

• allergy to iodine;
• kidney and liver diseases;
• diseases of thyroid gland;
• diabetes mellitus. 

You can undergo CT of head and brain at the medical center “ON Clinic Kharkiv” by appointment. Making appointment is carried out by the phone numbers indicated on the website or through the appointment form. Applications for diagnostics are accepted around the clock. You can also find out the cost of CT of brain in Kharkiv on our website and by calling our contact numbers.