A chest CT scan is an imaging study that creates multiple images of the inside of your chest using the rotating X-Ray beam. It creates a highly detailed 3-D model of the inside of your chest. A Chest CT scan focuses on the lungs and chest specifically to diagnose the various conditions related to the chest and guide the treatment.
CT scans give a clear view to the doctor about the problem happening in your chest area, In this way, it helps your doctor diagnose a variety of lungs related conditions and abnormalities in the chest area.
How and When CT scan is beneficial?
Chest CT scans provide a complete picture of the lungs surrounding structures such as the heart and chest cavity. Apart from these structures, it shows the surrounding soft tissues also.
This diagnostic procedure helps the doctor in diagnosing the problems related to the lungs and their surrounding structures such as
- Bronchitis
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Fluid accumulation in excessive amounts in or around the lungs
- Lungs Infection
- Lungs inflammation
- Lung cancer
- Pneumonia
- Pulmonary embolism
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Scarring of the lungs
- Tuberculosis
Your chest physician may prescribe you the Chest CT scan for various purposes such as
- If you’re experiencing respiratory health issues such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and persistent cough.
- To monitor the effect of the treatment therapy.
How is a Chest CT scan performed?
To perform the chest CT scan, you need to lie still on the examination table and the CT scanner will rotate around you.
The Rotating X-Ray beam in the CT scanner will capture images of your lungs and chest’s soft tissues.
When the doctor needs more clarity about the problem, in those cases, the contrast material is used to highlight the particular areas so that your doctor can easily come to know what is happening in the respiratory system. The doctor will evaluate the image and decide the best course of treatment for your condition.
How should you prepare for the Chest CT scan?
Before undergoing a Chest CT scan, you need to do preparation. Here we will discuss the precautions and preparations you need to follow.
- The technologist will instruct you to remove all clothing and change into a hospital gown and all the metallic accessories such as jewellery, watches, earrings, and removable dentures, etc. also
- Leave your mobile phone outside the scanning room.
- If the doctor has prescribed your Chest CT with contrast for highlighting the parts for better diagnosis. You need to fast for 4 to 6 hours and the technologist will give you contrast material
- through an IV cannula into your vein.
- Female patients must make sure to inform the doctor if pregnant, or think they may be pregnant. Because in the case of pregnancy, a CT scan is avoided.
Chest CT scan Time
The Chest CT scan procedure is quick, it generally takes 10-15mins. in the procedure but in the case of contrast media, it takes a minimum of 45-50mins. inclusive of the preparation and scanning. Post-scan, the technologist may ask you to wait for a few minutes to check whether the obtained pictures are clear. In the case of blurred images, the technologist may ask you for the scanning process again.
Cost of Chest CT scan
The cost of a Chest CT scan anywhere over the globe is from INR 4000 to INR 6000, depending on the facility the diagnostic center is using for the scanning procedure and your city. Apart from this, the type of scan whether it is a Chest CT scan with contrast or a Chest CT scan without contrast. If we talk about Delhi, Even the cost of a chest CT scan in Delhi is also around INR 6000.
Conclusion
If you or any of your close ones experiencing respiratory health issues. Your chest physician will recommend a chest CT scan to diagnose the chest-related issues. This imaging procedure will be instrumental in helping the doctors in finding out the cause or source of the symptoms you are experiencing. It helps you in determining the best possible treatment for your needs.
