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Key Points
- A chest CT scan is a painless, noninvasive test
that creates precise images of the structures in your chest, such as your
lungs.
- A chest CT scan is a type of x ray, but a CT
scan’s pictures show more details than the pictures from a standard
chest
x ray. Like other x-ray tests, chest CT scans use a form of energy called
ionizing radiation. This energy helps create pictures of the inside of your
chest.
- A CT scanner is a large machine with a
tunnel-like hole in the center. During a chest CT scan, you lie on a table as
it moves small distances at a time through the hole.
- The chest CT scanning machine takes many
pictures, called slices, of the lungs and the inside of the chest. Sometimes, a
special substance (called contrast dye) is injected into a vein in your arm.
This substance highlights areas in your chest, which helps create clearer
images.
- People who have symptoms of lung problems, such
as a chest pain or trouble breathing, may need chest CT scans.
- The scan helps find the cause of the symptoms. It
looks for problems such as tumors, excess fluid around the lungs, and
pulmonary
embolism (a blood clot in the lungs). The scan also can check for other
conditions, such as tuberculosis, emphysema, and
pneumonia.
- Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing for the
chest CT scan. You’ll be asked to remove jewelry, eyeglasses, and metal
objects that might interfere with the test. Let your doctor know if
you’re pregnant, have other medical conditions are taking any medicines,
or have any allergies.
- Contrast dye may be used as part of the chest CT
scan. If you’re breast-feeding, ask your doctor how long you should wait
after the test before you breast-feed. The contrast dye can be passed to your
baby through your milk. You may want to prepare for the scan by pumping and
saving milk for 24 to 48 hours in advance. You can bottle-feed your baby in the
hours after the scan.
- A chest CT scan takes about 30 minutes, which
includes preparation time. The scan itself doesn’t hurt, but you may feel
anxious if you get nervous in tight or closed spaces. Your doctor may give you
medicine to help you relax.
- You usually can return to your normal routine
right after a chest CT scan. If contrast dye was used, your doctor may give you
special instructions, such as drinking plenty of liquids to flush out the
substance.
- A chest CT scan provides detailed pictures of
the size, shape, and position of your lungs and other structures in your chest.
A CT scan can show whether you have a lung problem or other condition.
- Chest CT scans have few risks. Because the test
uses radiation, there may be a slight risk of cancer. However, the amount used
is about the same as the amount you’re naturally exposed to over 3 years.
Rarely, people have allergic reactions to the contrast dye that sometimes used.
If this happens, your doctor will give you medicine to relieve the symptoms.
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What Are the Risks
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