• Home

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

Thoracic CT

• Overview
• Risks

Definition:

Thoracic CT is a computed tomography scan of the chest and upper abdomen.

Alternative Names:

Chest CT; CT scan - lungs; CT scan - chest

How the test is performed:

You will be asked to lie on a narrow table (gantry) that slides into the center of the scanner. Depending on what is being scanned, you may lie on the stomach, back, or side. If contrast media (dye) is to be given, an IV (intravenous needle or tube) will be placed in a small vein of your hand or arm.

As with standard photography, if you move while the CT image is being taken, it will blur. Because of this, the operator of the scanner will tell you when to hold your breath and not move.

As the exam takes place, the gantry will advance small intervals through the scanner. Modern spiral scanners can perform the examination in one continuous motion of the gantry. Generally, complete scans will only take a few minutes. However, additional contrast-enhanced or higher-resolution scans will add to the scan time. The newest multi-detector scanners can image the entire body, head-to-toe, in under 30 seconds.

How to prepare for the test:

The health care provider may advise you to avoid eating or drinking for 4 - 6 hours prior to the scan, if contrast dye is to be used.

The CT scanner has a weight limit to prevent damage to the mechanized gantry. Have the health care provider contact the scanner operator if you weigh more than 300 pounds.

Metal interferes with the x-rays, so you may be asked to remove jewelry and wear a hospital gown during the study.

How the test will feel:

The x-rays are painless. The primary discomfort may be from the need to lie still on the table.

If intravenous contrast dye is given, you may feel a slight burning sensation in the injected arm, a metallic taste in the mouth, and a warm flushing of the body. These sensations are normal and usually go away within a few seconds.

Why the test is performed:

Thoracic CT may be recommended when there is a need for examination of the structures inside the chest. It is noninvasive and poses less risk than invasive procedures (such as angiography or exploratory surgery).

Common indications for thoracic CT include:

• When there is a chest injury
• When a tumor or mass (clump of cells) is suspected
• To determine the size, shape, and position of internal organs
• To look for bleeding or fluid collections in the lungs or other areas

• Review Date: 7/18/2007
• Reviewed By: Stuart Bentley-Hibbert, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process . A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2007 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.