A detailed examination of the lungs, airways, pleura and mediastinal organs. It is ordered when a chest X-ray is inconclusive or an established diagnosis needs to be clarified.
- Duration5 minutes, with contrast 20–30 minutes
- Contrastif indicated
- Preparationnone (with contrast: empty stomach)
- Report1–2 hours
What it shows
- The lungs, airways and pleura
- Mediastinal organs: lymph nodes, great vessels, thoracic oesophagus, thymus
- Pneumonia, including cases not visible on X-ray
- Benign and malignant tumours, metastases
- Tuberculosis and sarcoidosis
- Pleurisy, lung abscess and cysts, atelectasis
- Enlarged lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy)
- The ribs, sternum and vertebrae
When it is recommended
- Unclear or doubtful changes on a chest X-ray
- Suspected pneumonia with a normal X-ray
- Suspected lung or mediastinal tumour, search for metastases
- Assessing the size and spread of a known tumour
- Tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, occupational lung disease, lymphoma
- Diaphragmatic hernia or paralysis
- Monitoring treatment of lung disease
- Planning chest surgery
Preparation
- If contrast is planned, come on an empty stomach
Good to know
- You will be asked to hold your breath on a voice command during the scan to keep the images sharp.
- For the lungs, CT is far more informative than MRI.
- Pulmonary embolism is investigated with a separate examination — CT pulmonary angiography.
General information about CT — safety, contraindications, contrast and what to expect — is on the CT page.