Anatomy of the neck
The neck is the connection of two important but compartmentalized areas of the body, namely the head and the torso. For this reason, the neck is a kind of highway, through which run nerves, blood vessels, the esophagus including the larynx, as well as muscles and tendons that hold all the arteries in place, as well as stabilizing the head and allowing it to move. Above all, there is the spine, stabilizing the neck and head and providing the frame on which the tissues are fixed.
Indications for CT scan of the neck
CT is exceptionally good at imaging the skeleton and blood vessels, especially arteries, as well as proliferative and neoplastic processes. CT is a fast examination, which is of considerable importance with the part of the body that is prone to
movement (such as swallowing), which compromises the quality of imaging studies. Throat problems, chronic hoarseness or recurrent throat infections can be successfully diagnosed with CT scans at our facility.
In addition to the above indications, a neck CT scan may be ordered for:
- diagnosis of sore and burning throat, cough, hoarseness
- evaluation of recurrent respiratory infections
- diagnosis of swallowing disorders
- Diagnostics of neoplastic processes in the soft and bony tissues of the neck
Preparation for neck CT
Examination of this part of the body can take place both with and without a shadowing agent, so-called contrast, depending on the clinical need. The decision to administer contrast, or not to do so, is made by the referring physician and/or the radiologist present during the examination at our facility. When performing this examination with contrast, you must be fasting, and have your creatinine level and blood eGFR determined. If the patient has any thyroid problems, he or she should also determine the level of thyrotropin hormone, the so-called TSH level. It is necessary, as for any CT scan and ionizing radiation, to bring a current referral for a craniofacial CT scan.