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CT scan of the head is used in many cases, what are these cases? Is there any harm to these rays? All this and more, we will learn about it in the following article.

A CT scan of the head is a non-invasive diagnostic method that uses X-rays (X-rays) to produce accurate pictures of the tissue structure of the brain. We will learn more about the CT scan of the head in this article.

CT scan of the head: uses

CT scans of the head are used for several purposes, including

Determine the presence of any head injuries after exposure to accidents of all kinds.

Search for the presence of any benign or cancerous tumors in the skull, brain, or membranes surrounding the brain, specifying their location and degree.

Determine birth defects in the skull.

Instruct doctors in some operations, such as how to take a brain biopsy.

Determine a treatment plan for some types of surgeries or medications, and determine the patient''s response to these treatments.

Ensure the safety of the head in case the patient suffers from any of the following symptoms:

Hearing or vision loss.

muscle weakness

Difficulty speaking or swallowing.

CT scan of the head: how is it done?

A head tomography usually takes about 15 minutes, as the tomography machine works to take several x-ray images, so that the computer collects these images together to make a detailed, high-resolution image of the head.

The image is taken in detail on the following steps

The patient sleeps on a moving table.

The table is pulled under the imaging device in a way that allows the patient''s head to be within the imaging range.

The patient holds his breath for a short time.

The X-rays begin to rotate around the head, creating several pictures of the head from different angles.

A computer stitches the images together to make a 3D image.

CT scan of the head and color dye

Sometimes a CT scan of the head may be done with the use of a dye, a substance that the patient receives by injection through a vein or drunk by mouth, to increase the visibility of some areas of the head in the image. And requires the use of colored dye fasting several hours before the picture.

It is worth noting that patients who use Metformin must stop using the drug at the time of the image and for at least 48 hours after the completion of the image. To avoid infection with blood acidity (Metabolic Acidosis). It is preferable to do a kidney function test before returning to the use of metformin.

Users of the colored dye should also drink plenty of fluids to help the body get rid of iodine in the colored dye, especially in the event of diabetes or kidney disease.

Color dye uses

The colored dye is used in specific cases, including

brain attack.

Hydrocephalus.

Abnormal growth in the head.

Colorant side effects

The use of the colored dye may cause some side effects, such as

Feeling of high body temperature, or heartburn in the body.

Having a metallic taste in the mouth.

Allergy to the colored dye, due to the presence of iodine. The sensitivity is represented by the following symptoms:

Feeling nauseous and vomiting.

Itching and rash.

sneeze.

CT scan of the head: damage

Despite the multiple uses of a CT scan of the head, there are some potential harms of these rays, such as:

Exposure to low levels of ionizing radiation that cause harm to the body.

Not feeling comfortable or having an allergic reaction, as a result of using the colored dye.

Feeling anxious as a result of the sound emanating from the x-ray machine or as a result of being in the closed space designated for imaging.

CT scan of the head: caveats

There are some precautions that must be adhered to when performing a CT scan of the head, and among these precautions we mention:

In the event that a colored dye is used, the use of metformin must be discontinued at the time of the image and for a period of not less than 48 hours after the image.

Stop eating and drinking 3 hours before doing the photo in case of using colored dyes.

The need for a woman to inform the radiologist in the event of pregnancy or suspicion of pregnancy, to avoid exposing the fetus to radiation.

Be sure to inform the radiologist of any sensitivity to certain medications, or the presence of kidney disease.

Mothers stop breastfeeding their babies for at least 24 hours after using the colored dye.