Chest CT scan
When do I need a chest CT scan?
X-ray is the primary diagnostic procedure for chest pathologies. During a chest X-ray, the doctor takes an image from the front and from the side. In many cases, this can show lesions quite accurately, but because it ‘sums up’ the image in one plane, sometimes the details are not sharp enough. This is where CT comes in handy, which uses X-rays to take cross-sectional images to give a better picture of the condition of organs and structures. Chest CT can help diagnose many diseases and lesions:
Tumours of the lungs
As CT scans expose the patient to radiation, they are only performed for medical indications. In pregnant women, it is only used in very serious, life-threatening situations, otherwise it is not used.
In addition, there are contraindications to the use of contrast agents, which are discussed in more detail below.
Chest X-ray examinations are mainly divided into two parts. A series of images without contrast media, called native images, is obtained. Afterwards, a contrast agent is injected intravenously and a second series of images is taken. The latter gives a very detailed image, which is very useful for diagnostic purposes.
However, contrast agents can be problematic in cases of known allergy or poor kidney function, and are usually not used in these cases. For this reason, a renal function laboratory test is also required before a chest CT so that the doctor is aware of the potential risks.
Contrast media, together with metformin, a common active substance in diabetes medicines, can trigger adverse metabolic processes. Therefore, the use of these medicines should be stopped from two days before the test until two days after the test.
A chest CT scan is a non-invasive test with minimal discomfort. It is important to follow the doctor’s instructions before arrival and arrive on an empty stomach.
Afterwards, you just need to lie on the CT machine’s moving table. On the doctor’s instructions, take a deep breath and hold it in for 20-30 seconds while the machine takes a series of images. Then the process is repeated, but first the contrast agent is injected with a so-called branulin.
Apart from the tiny needle prick and the slight warm sensation caused by the contrast material, you will not experience any discomfort, so there is no need to be afraid of the test!
Make an appointment for a chest CT scan with the excellent specialists at Wáberer Medical Center, or call us at +36-1-323-7000 to have your scan done at our well-equipped clinic in Buda without a long wait.
