Chest & Lung CT Scans: What are they used for, and how do they work?

If you’ve been struggling with an unexplained cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, or even long covid, your doctor might recommend a chest CT scan to assess the underlying causes.

Our expert clinicians review every booking we receive, and provide all booked patients with a 1-1 phone consultation. This is so that they can ask about your symptoms, and make sure your CT scan is medically justified and provides the best outcomes for your needs.

📢 Want to learn more about CT scan procedures? Visit our definitive guide to CT scans.

What is a CT scan of the chest?

CT scans, also known as CAT scans, are an imaging technique used to generate images of the inside of your body. In the case of the chest, the scan can show the chest cavity, lungs, heart, blood vessels, ribs and parts of the spine.

A CT scanner is round, and looks like a doughnut with a hole in the middle. A flat bed moves in and out of the machine, and you’ll be asked to lie down for the scan.

During the scan, an X-ray beam circles around your body, and detectors on the opposite side of the scanner record how much of the beam has passed through your body. This data varies based on the different tissues of your body, and a computer turns this information into images.

These images are called ‘slices’, and are 2D. Your radiologist can view the images as a series of ‘slices’ to pinpoint the exact location of an abnormality, or a computer can generate a 3D image of your body by assembling the 2D images together.

Why would a doctor order a CT scan of the chest?

You might have been recommended a CT scan of the chest for a number of reasons. These include:

Double-checking anything abnormal that might’ve been found in a standard X-ray scan
Finding out why you might have a continuous cough, chest pain, or trouble breathing
Locating and assessing abnormalities and growths, such as cysts, tumours or other masses
Staging lung cancer and seeing if it has spread
Assess the extent of injury, including broken bones (e.g. ribs), fractures, or trauma

What does a CT scan of the chest, or lung CT scan, show?

CT scans of the chest can generate images of the organs, bones and tissues of the chest, including the lungs, ribcage, blood vessels and even sections of the spine. It can help doctors to check for infections, abnormalities, fractures, lesions, tumours and problems with the blood vessels.

What is a chest and lung CT scan looking for?

Chest CT scans look for a range of lung problems, such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, inflammation, lung disease and even some congenital abnormalities (problems that have been present since birth). It is also useful for assessing the rib bones for fractures.

CT scan lung cancer - is it used for diagnosis?

CT scans of the chest are commonly used to diagnose or rule out lung cancer, and are effective in staging cancer and assessing the progress of treatments. Chest CT can also show cancer in other locations, and can check if it has spread elsewhere.

Can a chest CT scan detect heart problems?

While a chest CT can capture images of the heart, we offer dedicated cardiac CT scans that are recommended for patients specifically requiring a CT of the heart for the detection of heart problems.

How much does a chest CT scan cost?

Our chest CT scan prices start from £359. The price you pay upfront covers a complete package of care, which includes:

A pre-scan consultation with a dedicated expert clinician, to discuss your symptoms and requirements
A fast referral to your chosen scanning centre, with no GP visits and no waiting lists
Your scan, at a convenient location near you
A radiologist’s report of your results
Access to your scan images upon request
A post-scan consultation with your clinician if any next steps are required

Do I need a chest CT scan with contrast?

You might need to have a contrast agent for your chest or lung CT scan. A contrast agent is a type of iodine-based dye, which helps certain areas of your body appear more clearly in the scan. Sometimes, you’ll be asked to drink the contrast agent, or it will be given to you by an IV injection.

After placing your booking for a chest CT scan, you’ll receive a clinician consultation with a member of our expert team. They’ll explain if you need a contrast agent, and will make sure it’s safe for you to have one administered.

If you have kidney problems, or have recently had an adverse reaction to a contrast agent, you should let your clinician know. This is so they can suggest the best course of action for you to get the diagnosis you need.

What does a chest CT scan with contrast show?

A chest CT scan with contrast can show more detail of how lesions or tumours are positioned next to adjacent structures such as blood vessels. They can also provide more detail of the lymph nodes, and the chest wall.

How long does a chest CT scan take?

CT scans can be completed in under a minute. However, your appointment may be up to 30 minutes long, to allow time for getting changed, administering the contrast agent (if required), filling in any paperwork on-site, and discussing any questions you might have.

How should you prepare for a chest and lung CT scan?

CT scans don’t use magnets like MRI scans do, but metal items can still affect the quality of CT images. This means that you’ll be asked to remove any piercings, belts, jewellery, watches, glasses, dentures and even hearing aids in some cases.

To find out more about the differences between CT scans and MRI scans, you can read our dedicated guide here.

We also recommend that you wear soft, comfortable clothing, but you might be asked to change into a medical gown for your scan.

We’ll make sure to let you know in advance if you need to do anything specific to prepare for your scan. This can include not eating or drinking for a few hours before your scan, changes to how you take your medication on the day, or filling in forms about your medical history. If you do need a contrast agent for your scan, we’ll inform you ahead of time.

Next steps:

Book a private chest and lung CT scan today, and skip the waiting lists.

Visit our news page to find out more about CT scans and the other types of scan we offer.

Sources used:

Computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest. (2021, August 8). Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/ct-scan-of-the-chest

CT scan. (n.d.). Tests and Scans | Cancer Research UK. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/lung-cancer/getting-diagnosed/tests/ct-scan

Purysko, C. P., Renapurkar, R. D., & Bolen, M. A. (2016). When does chest CT require contrast enhancement? Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, 83(6), 423–426. https://doi.org/10.3949/ccjm.83a.15037

Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) and American College of Radiology (ACR). (n.d.). Chest CT. Radiologyinfo.org. https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info/chestct

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