Do you have a CT scan for seizures coming up? Your doctor might have recommended you have this test to help understand more about your seizures and what might be causing them. CT scans are one of the tests that may be used to help diagnose epilepsy.
If you’ve never had a CT scan before, you might feel a little uncertain about what to expect. If you have any doubts or concerns, speak with your doctor.
In this article, you will learn more about CT scans for seizures, what they might show, and why they can be useful.
What is a CT scan?
A computerized tomography (CT) scan is a kind of advanced X-ray that has been used in the United States since the 1970s. The machine looks a little bit like a big doughnut. Patients lie on a bed, and are then moved inside. The machine uses X-rays to build up an image of the inside of the patient’s body.
If your doctor suspects that you have epilepsy, a CT scan may be used to create an image of your brain.
Sometimes, a special dye might be put into your body at the start of the test. This means blood in your blood vessels stand out more clearly in the CT scan image. If you have any uncertainties about this, ask the doctor or technician in advance.
MRI scans - another imaging technique
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is another way that doctors can create an image of your brain. MRI scans can create a more detailed image of your brain. But they may take more time and may not be suitable for some people (including people who have certain types of metal implants or devices like pacemakers).
Why do we use a CT scan for seizure diagnosis?
A CT scan is a powerful way of seeing inside the brain. It can help identify possible causes of seizures, including things like:
- Brain damage
- Tumors
- Lesions
Do seizures show up on CT scans?
A CT scan can only show the physical structure of your brain - it doesn’t record electrical discharges when you have a seizure.
A CT scan may be able to show where in the brain your seizures happen, based on blood flow. After a seizure, more blood may flow to where the seizure happened. So, if you were injected with a dye shortly after having a seizure then went to have a CT scan, the image might show that more blood has gone to one particular area in the brain. This is called SPECT (single-photon emission computed tomography).
Suggested: What happens in your brain during a seizure?
But you may also have a completely normal CT scan after a seizure. People whose epilepsy is not caused by a physical abnormality in their brain may not have an unusual CT scan.
This is why doctors often recommend that you have a few different kinds of tests before diagnosing epilepsy - some tests may not show anything unusual, but others could help identify the cause of the problem.
Getting ready for a CT scan for seizures
If you have a CT scan for your seizures coming up, the team at the hospital will walk you through the steps and how to prepare. They might tell you to:
- Avoid eating or drinking for a few hours before the test
- Remove any metal objects you’re wearing
- Wear loose fitting clothes (you may need to change into a hospital gown)
The procedure itself is normally fairly quick, and often takes about 30 minutes (but it can last longer, depending on the type of scan being done). A technician at the hospital will be operating the machine from a room next door, and they can hear and see you, and you can normally speak with them if you need.
Are there any dangers with CT scans?
Hospitals have been using CT scans in the United States for around 50 years and they are seen as safe. As part of the process, you will be exposed to a small amount of radiation. If you are regularly exposed to radiation, this can have health consequences, but the amounts used in a single CT scan is viewed as safe for most people.
If you are pregnant, then tell your doctor before having a CT scan for seizures as the radiation could affect your baby.
Testing: Introduction to epilepsy tests
Another step toward diagnosis
After you’ve had your CT scan for seizures, a specialist will analyze [3] the images and contact your doctor. The image may show a physical abnormality that could help with diagnosing epilepsy. But you could also have a normal CT scan after a seizure, so your doctor may decide to use another kind of test to learn more.
If you have any doubts about your CT scan, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor or the technician at the hospital. They’ll be able to answer all your questions and make sure you feel comfortable having the test.
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