Ct scan of the head and face

A CT (computed tomography) scan uses X-rays to make detailed pictures of structures inside the body. A CT scan of the head can give your doctor information about your child's eyes, bones of the face and nose, inner ear, and brain.

During the test, your child will lie on a moving table that is attached to the CT scanner. The CT scanner is a large doughnut-shaped machine. The table will move in and out of the center of the machine during the scan.

If you aren't pregnant, you can stay in the room with your child during the test. You will wear an apron that protects your body from X-rays.

A CT scan of the head is done to:

• Find the cause of symptoms, such as confusion,paralysis, numbness, vision problems,vertigo, or headaches, that might mean a brain injury, a brain tumor, a rupturedaneurysm, or bleeding inside the head.
• Look for problems of the middle ear bones and theauditory nerve.
• Help plan for surgery.
• Find damage caused by astrokeand to help find the best treatment for the cause of a stroke.
• Find the cause of a loss of consciousness or a changing level of consciousness.
• Check on the success of treatment or surgery for a brain tumor.
• Provide guidance for a brainbiopsy.

CT scans of the eyes, facial area, and sinuses may be done to:

• Look for problems of the eyes and theoptic nerve. The test may find fractures of the bones around the eyes or foreign objects in the eye.
• Look for problems or diseases of the air-filled cavities in the bones around the nose (sinuses).
• Look for problems with the bones and joints of the jaw, face, and skull, such astemporomandibular disorderorPaget's disease.
• Find broken bones (fractures), such as acheekbone fracture.
• Look for foreign objects in the head and face.
• Plan for surgery to rebuild parts of the face that were damaged.

You may need to take off any jewelry, glasses, and hearing aids. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes.

During the test, you will lie on a table that is attached to the CT scanner. Straps will hold your head still, but your face will not be covered.

The table slides into the round opening of the scanner, and the scanner moves around your body. The table will move while the scanner takes pictures. You may hear a click or buzz as the table and scanner move. It is very important to lie still during the test.

You may be alone in the scan room. But a technologist will watch you through a window and talk with you during the test.

In general, there's nothing you have to do before this test, unless your doctor tells you to.

Tell your doctor if you get nervous in tight spaces. You may get a medicine to help you relax. If you think you'll get this medicine, be sure you have someone to take you home.

Complete results usually are ready for your doctor in 1 to 2 days.

Normal:

• The brain and blood vessels and bones of the skull and face are normal in size, shape, and position.
• There are no foreign objects or growths.
• No bleeding or collections of fluid are found.

Abnormal:

• A growth, such as a tumor, or bleeding is found in or around the brain. Foreign objects, such as glass or metal fragments, are found. The bones of the skull or face are broken (fractured) or look abnormal. Nerves leading to or from the brain are damaged or pinched.
• A collection of fluid is found, which may mean bleeding in or around the brain.
• Ananeurysmis found.
• The openings in the brain (ventricles) through whichcerebrospinal fluidflows into the spine are enlarged. An area of the brain shows swelling (edema) or other changes that may mean astroke.
• Thesinusesare filled with fluid or have a thick lining.