What are CT Head Scans used for?

CT head scans can help doctors:

• Locate skull fractures and brain damage in patients who have suffered head injuries
• Detect blood clots or bleeding in the brain in cases of suspected stroke
• Determine the extent of bone and soft tissue damage in patients with facial trauma
• Plan facial reconstruction for patients with facial trauma
• Determine the extent of bone and soft tissue damage in patients with facial trauma
• Detect and deteremine location of bleeding in cases of suspected ruptured or leaking aneurysm
• Identify brain tumors
• Diagnose diseases of the temporal bone of the skull
• Identify enlarged brain cavities (ventricles) in patients with hydrocephalus, an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain
• Examine the paranasal sinuses for inflammation or other conditions
• Examine cancers of the brain in preparation for radiation therapy
• Insert and guide a needle into the brain to obtain a tissue sample of the brain
• Identify diseases or malformations of the skull
• Obtain a three-dimensional image of the skull and brain structures
• Perform CT angiography
• Determine the cause of stroke
• Evaluate cases of suspected subarachnoid or intracranial hemorrhage
• Determine the cause of persistent headache
• Evaluate loss of sensory or motor function
• Check for abnormal development of the head and neck