What will ct of neck show

Talk to your doctor about all your health conditions before the test. For example, tell your doctor if:. The test will take about 30 to 60 minutes.

Most of this time is spent getting ready for the scan. The actual test only takes about 10 minutes. Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse call line if you are having problems.

It's also a good idea to keep a list of the medicines you take. Ask your doctor when you can expect to have your test results. Author: Healthwise Staff. Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional.

Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript and try again. Important Phone Numbers. Topic Contents What is it? Why is this test done? This is normal and passes quickly. The CT scanner includes a table you will lie on and a doughnut shaped ring.

You will lie still on the table while it advances through the ring. The technologist will give you instructions during the test. While you hold still the table will move through the ring while pictures are taken. It is important to lie still while the images are taken. You will also be asked to refrain from swallowing for a few seconds while the pictures 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. This is done is the Pediatric Care Unit. If this is done first, a nurse will also be at the CT scan.

If you are concerned your young child may not be able to hold still talk with your doctor before the CT scan. A CT scan of the neck takes about 40 minutes. This includes 20 minutes for the test and 20 minutes for preparation.

Your appointment is in radiology. Radiology is in on the third floor of the Smith Building. On the day of your test, first report to the Admissions Desk just inside the Main Entrance. These cross-sectional images of the area being studied can then be examined on a computer monitor or printed.

CT scans are more detailed than general X-rays, showing detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans of internal organs, bone, soft tissue and blood vessels provide greater clarity and reveal more details than regular X-ray exams. CT scans also minimize exposure to radiation. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly.

In standard X-rays, a beam of energy is aimed at the body part being studied. A plate behind the body part captures the variations of the energy beam after it passes through skin, bone, muscle, and other tissue. While much information can be obtained from a standard X-ray, a lot of detail about internal organs and other structures is not available. In computed tomography, the X-ray beam moves in a circle around the body.

This allows many different views of the same organ or structure. The X-ray information is sent to a computer that interprets the X-ray data and displays it in a two-dimensional 2D form on a monitor.

Using specialized equipment and expertise to create and interpret CT scans of the body, radiologists can more easily diagnose problems such as cancers, cardiovascular disease, infectious disease, trauma and musculoskeletal disorders. Chest CT scans may also be used to visualize placement of needles during biopsies of thoracic organs or tumors, or during aspiration withdrawal of fluid from the chest.

This is useful in monitoring tumors and other conditions of the chest before and after treatment. CT scans may be done with or without "contrast. Contrast examinations may require you to fast for a certain period of time before the procedure. Your physician will notify you of this prior to the procedure. You have the right to help plan your care.