Computed Tomography (CT) Scan of the Head and Face

A CT scan of the head is done to:

• Find the cause of symptoms, such as confusion, Reference paralysis Opens New Window, numbness, vision problems, Reference vertigo Opens New Window, or headaches, that might mean a brain injury, a brain tumor, a ruptured Reference aneurysm Opens New Window, or bleeding inside the head.
• Look for problems of the middle ear bones and the Reference auditory nerve Opens New Window.
• Help plan for surgery.
• Find damage caused by a Reference stroke Opens New Window and to help find the best treatment for the cause of a stroke.
• Find the cause of a loss of consciousness or a changing level of consciousness.
• Check on the success of treatment or surgery for a brain tumor.
• Provide guidance for a brain Reference biopsy Opens New Window.

CT scans of the eyes, facial area, and sinuses may be done to:

• Look for problems of the eyes and the Reference optic nerve Opens New Window. The test may find fractures of the bones around the eyes or foreign objects in the eye.
• Look for problems or diseases of the air-filled cavities in the bones around the nose (Reference sinuses Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window).
• Look for problems with the bones and joints of the jaw, face, and skull, such as Reference temporomandibular disorder Opens New Window or Reference Paget's disease Opens New Window.
• Find broken bones (Reference fractures Opens New Window). See a Reference CT scan of a cheekbone fracture Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window.
• Look for foreign objects in the head and face.
• Plan for surgery to rebuild parts of the face that were damaged.

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