Who Needs a Chest CT Scan?

People who have symptoms of lung problems, such as chest pain or trouble breathing, may need chest CT scans. The scan helps find the cause of the symptoms.

Chest CT scans look for problems such as tumors, excess fluid around the lungs, and pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lungs). The scan also checks for other conditions, such as tuberculosis, emphysema, and pneumonia.

Your doctor may order a chest CT scan if a standard chest x ray doesn’t help diagnose the problem. For example, your doctor might order a chest CT scan after a chest x ray to:

• See more detailed pictures of your lungs and other structures in your chest
• Find the exact location of a tumor or other problem
• Show something that isn’t visible on a chest x ray