Computed Tomography Scans for Head & Neck Cancer

Computed tomography (CT or CAT) scans provide information about the status not only of soft tissue structures like organs, nerves and the brain, but also exquisite detail of even the smallest bony structures such as the vertebrae.

CT scans are considered to be one of the best ways to evaluate the sinuses. They are also helpful for evaluating swelling, inflammation and tumors.

During a CT scan, you will lie flat on a table that automatically slides into a doughnut-shaped piece of equipment. Most scans take only a few minutes and have a low risk of radiation exposure.

As X-rays pass through your body, different tissues absorb different amounts. Detectors inside the gantry measure the radiation leaving your body and convert the radiation into electrical signals. A computer gathers these signals and gives them a color ranging from black to white, depending on the signal's strength. The computer then puts the images together and displays them on a computer monitor. A technician in a separate room supervises your exam and watches the images on the computer. He or she can see and talk with you through an intercom.

Depending on what information is needed, the doctor may order a CT scan that is done using a contrast fluid or dye. This requires injecting a small amount of a colorless fluid (called dye or contrast) into a vein in your arm or hand before the CT scan. (If you have any allergies to drugs, iodine or other contrast agents, let your doctor know.)




