High-resolution CT of the thorax, chest (without contrast)

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Due to the renovation of the facility, we are temporarily not carrying out this examination.

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HRCT is an acronym which stands for high resolution computed tomography. It does not require administration of any contrast medium. HRCT is primarily used for precise assessment of the lung parenchyma. This method is used in the diagnostics of interstitial conditions of the bronchi and bronchiectasis, as well as in the assessment of pulmonary emphysema and its intensifications. The patient lies down on a special table which slides to the inside of the machine, into the gantry. Once the patient is inside the gantry, there is a lamp rotating around the patient’s body on a special frame and generating X-rays. Passing through the particular tissues of the patient’s body, the radiation becomes weaker. The degree of radiation weakening depends on the type of tissue, e.g. passing through the bones, the X-ray wave is severely weakened, while passing through air – the weakening degree is minimal.

This phenomenon makes it possible to precisely differentiate between the particular tissues in the Patient’s body. Moreover, the X-ray lamp installed in the gantry, rotating around the Patient’s body, illuminates every single point along its longitudinal axis, thereby giving an opportunity to obtain images of the selected layer of the Patient’s body on a screen.

The images obtained after each rotation of the lamp around the patient’s body (360°) are then summed up by a computer and presented on a monitor as an image of anatomical structures from the particular transverse layers of the patient’s body. There is an additional option of the so-called secondary image processing, which involves, amongst others, setting and calculating the grey scale of the image, as well as measuring the distances, the surface area, etc.). It is also possible to reconstruct the image in a plane other than the transverse one (e.g. the frontal plane) or even in three-dimensional pictures.

During the examination, the patient must not move to make sure the resultant image is sharp and clear. It is also important to remove all metal items from clothes and body, which might otherwise affect the quality of the images obtained.

Indications for the HRCT scan of the thorax (chest):

• interstitial pulmonary fibrosis;
• emphysema;
• bronchiectasis;
• suspected neoplastic lesions of thoracic organs;
• sarcoidosis;
• pneumoconiosis and asbestosis;
• deterioration in spirometry parameters;
• chronic, persistent cough;
• chronic inflammations;
• pulmonary embolism;
• post-radiation lesions;
• chest injuries;
• ambiguous image upon thoracic (chest) X-ray;
• recurrent upper respiratory tract infections;
• recurrent dyspnoea;
• foreign bodies in the lungs.

A Damian Medical Center consultant will call you within 24 hours of purchase to arrange a specific test date.

Please, bring a medical prescription and confirmation of payment for the examination.

Patient’s preparation for the HRCT scan of the thorax (chest)

No special preparation is required in the case of the CT scan of the head without contrast. Patients are requested to bring a prescription in paper form and any previous medical documentation (CT, ultrasound, X-ray and MRI scans, hospital discharge reports and outpatient treatment reports). It is necessary to arrive early (approx. 15-20 minutes) before the examination at the reception desk (level -1) in order to fill in a mandatory form concerning the patient’s health (diseases, drug use, allergies, physiological condition, injuries, past surgeries).

The type and scope of the examination is ultimately determined by the radiologist supervising the examination – the radiologist, therefore ultimately decides whether to administer the contrast agent or not, or whether the examination should encompass a particular body part or a different one, or – for example, two at a time. In such cases, an extra payment may be required.

The HRCT scan of the thorax (chest) is contraindicated during pregnancy or a suspected pregnancy, because the radiation may adversely affect the health of the foetus. Moreover, it should be borne in mind that HRCT scans may be performed only in medically justified cases, because to frequent exposure to X-rays may negatively affect the patient’s health. Therefore, the HRCT scan is performed only upon presenting a medical prescription (valid for 3 months) on the examination day in paper form.