CT Head Contrast - Test, Cost & Procedure

The CT head scan is a diagnostic imaging technique that is conducted after administering a "contrast." agent. The contrast dye is a special substance that is administered into your body through either an intravenous route or can be taken by mouth. The contrast is absorbed by particular organs and tissues which makes the study of the structures more clear and easy.

The contrast dye that is most commonly used for CT head scans is iodine-based. The iodine-based-contrast dyes tend to cause certain allergic reactions due to which modern contrast dyes are made that don't contain any iodine and are less prone to cause allergic reactions.

CT head scan generally uses 50 ml of contrast medium. This amount of contrast is capable of providing a correct diagnosis for the patients having body weight of <60 kg.

The patient is made to lie on the back with the head lying in a midline position on a movable scan table. The scan table slides into the doughnut-shaped machine in which the X-ray tube component rotates around your head. Once the scan is completed, the scan table slides out of the scanner machine. 

CT head scan is done in certain cases of- 

• Paralysis 
• Trauma 
• Consciousness level alteration  
• Unconsciousness 
• Vision loss
• Speech loss 
• Hearing loss.
• Frequent unexplained fainting.
• Infection or abscess signs in the brain .
• Seizures.

A CT head is used to assess the abnormalities pertaining to the brain including tumours, injuries, and intracranial bleeding. Certain structural anomalies including infections, hydrocephalus, functioning of the brain, and for determining other brain conditions can be examined using the scan. 

The CT head can take 15 minutes if it is a non-contrast study. For a CT head with contrast, it can take up to 1 hour.

No, you are generally instructed to not eat anything 3-4 hours prior to the test. Although you might drink anything as usual.

The CT head involves contrast administration that might cause certain side effects including a slight salty or metallic taste, and a flushing sensation. Headache, nausea, or vomiting might also be experienced by the individual. These effects last usually for a brief period. A point of concern comes when you start feeling breathing difficulties, numbness, sweating, or heart palpitations.

Yes, You can get a free consultation with Dr. Ravin Sharma (MBBS, MD in Radiology) who is available at our centre with Mob. no- +919212125996 and availability 24*7*365 days.

The contrast-based study of the head is done to evaluate the suspected pathological and physiological functions of the body that can potentially alter blood-brain-barrier permeability causing enhancement of the contrast.

You can click on the Ganesh Diagnostic Centre website to download the report of the CT Head Contrast scan test or get the report on a registered WhatsApp number.

You can type CT Head Contrast scan test centre near me in Google search for the nearest centres available.