Maxillofacial & Sinus CT- About the Exam
Mountain Medical offers maxillofacial and sinus CT imaging (face imaging), which has become the key diagnostic modality in the evaluation of facial trauma. Maxillofacial CT imaging evaluate the bones of the face including the orbits, sinuses, mandible (jaw), and teeth. This exam can detect fractures, orbit injury, sinus infections, eye infections, and tumors of the face and nearby tissues.
Sinus CT imaging is primarily used to detect the presence of inflammatory diseases and help diagnose sinusitis. A sinus exam can also identify nasal and sinus tumors, and evaluate sinuses that are filled with fluid or thickened sinus membranes.
What you can expect during a maxillofacial/sinus CT:
- You will be asked to lay flat on your back on the examination table
- Patients requiring injection of a contrast material, will then have an IV inserted in a small vein in the arm by one of technologists.
- The table will start moving, first slowly and then relatively more rapidly when the actual CT is performed.
- You may be asked to hold your breath during the scanning. Any motion, whether breathing or body movements, can lead to artifacts on the images.
- When the maxillofacial CT or sinus CT imaging is completed, you will be asked to wait until the technologist verifies that the images are of high enough quality for accurate interpretation.
- A maxillofacial CT or sinus CT is usually completed within 10 minutes.
This noninvasive imaging process enables radiologists to obtain a detailed face exam to locate any facial abnormalities. The maxillofacial and sinus CT has proven effective in finding tumors and other abnormalities in the face and sinus.
Learn how to prepare for a maxillofacial and sinus CT.
Learn the benefits and risks of maxillofacial and sinus CT.
Watch the CT - What to Expect Video.
