Is CT scan of the brain harmful?

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Nguyen Truong Duc - Radiographer - Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Nuclear Medicine - Vinmec Times City International General Hospital. Dr. Duc has more than 17 years of experience in diagnostic imaging.

Computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that is increasingly being used in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. However, the use of X-rays to obtain clear images of body parts has raised questions about the safety of computed tomography, especially CT of the brain.

Computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain uses X-rays to scan the patient's head and face continuously. The resulting images will be processed on a computer system, helping to reconstruct the detailed structure of the skull and inner brain tissue in a cross-section from which the doctor will detect, diagnose and evaluate the brain damage or abnormality.
In some cases of cranial CT scan, the patient will be injected with contrast material into a vein in the arm or into the spinal canal to help highlight structures and organs for easier examination. This contrast also helps check the flow of blood and check for tumors, inflammation or nerve damage.

The doctor may order a CT scan of the brain for the patient to diagnose or monitor some of the following diseases:
Diseases caused by head trauma. Congenital diseases commonly acquired in the head and face area such as congenital malformations in the skull, hydrocephalus, craniosynostosis... Inflammatory and infectious diseases of the head, face, sinuses, ear - mastoid bone. Cerebral vascular diseases.

In general, computed tomography of the brain is a relatively safe method and has a very low risk because the radiation dose caused by X-rays during the scan is kept to a minimum. . Besides, technological advances also help to shorten the time for CT scans and reduce the patient's exposure time to radiation. However, in cases where women are pregnant or are suspected of being pregnant, CT scans should not be used because it can cause negative effects on the fetus. If use is required, the patient should talk to the doctor and use special precautions.
In some cases, CT combined with contrast injection helps to highlight abnormal lesions or structures on the image. From there, the doctor can easily detect and distinguish them from surrounding structures. Although contrast material usually does not cause a reaction with the body, only a few cases of patients experience unwanted reactions due to drug allergies such as burning sensation, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure. However, this rate is very low and can be completely overcome if detected in time. Therefore, brain CT scan with contrast injection is still considered safe and does not pose any danger to health.

Vinmec International General Hospital is proud to be one of the hospital systems in the country that has invested in 512 CT scanner systems and 640 receiver arrays, leading modern two-level CT scanning systems. Vietnam, with a team of doctors who are leading experts, can conduct imaging, diagnosis and detection of cranial pathologies for high diagnostic and treatment efficiency.