Is a 'HRCT' scan and a 'CT' scan the same thing or do they differ!?

[CandiR]

I have actually googled it, but I'm now even more confused! 😄

(Thought I'd figured it out and that a 'High Resolution' C T scan is one WITH intravenous dye (contrast) And a so called 'regular' CT scan is WITHOUT intravenous dye, but think I may have interpreted it wrongly!?)

Thank you in advance! 👍

[2greys]

High resolution means more image slices per set length compared to a standard image, more often than not high resolution requires the dye to enhance the image even more. It really depends on what is being looked for.

A high res. CT Scan will typically be used to show up and diagnose various lung diseases. Bigger anomalies like Tumors can be spotted with low res. images without any contrast.

Confirmation/diagnosis of Cancerous Tumours is achieved using a PET/CT Scan with a radioactive tracer injection.

I hope that helps.

[CandiR in reply to 2greys]

Brill, thanks a lot 2greys, so it isnt actually that straight forward! in your opinion (or experience) do many people being scanned for Bronchiectasis have the intravenous dye/with contrast? Thanks again 😊

[2greys in reply to CandiR]

From my limited knowledge, mainly cleaned from other's posts and what I have learnt over the past two years from various sources on the Web, I would have to say yes, it is not that easy to spot.

[CandiR in reply to 2greys]

Much appreciated 2greys, thank you 👍

[skischool]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-...

CandiR hi here's your link,i thought similar to you but HRCT scan does not have to include a contrast and its just a more specific way of doing things.....regards Ski's and Scruffs

[CandiR in reply to skischool]

Hi skischool and thank you for your reply! I'll look now 👍

[skischool in reply to CandiR]

quote from wicky

Intravenous contrast agents are not used for HRCT[3] as the lung inherently has very high contrast (soft tissue against air), and the technique itself is unsuitable for assessment of the soft tissues and blood vessels, which are the major targets of contrast agents.

[CandiR in reply to skischool]

I was JUST about to quote the very same paragraph to you 😆 think we’ve cracked it 👍 it explained things better than other pages I’d read. Thank you!

[skischool in reply to CandiR]

pleasure but i have known of contrast being used with ct for detecting pulmonary embolisms so it can all get quite confusing and on the one and only ct scan i had a contrast was used,glad it helps anyway x

[CandiR in reply to skischool]

Yes, seems it all depends what they are looking for and yes, it did help thanks (I’ll be an expert in this subject soon!) 😊

[santisuk in reply to skischool]

I'm not sure why I've always been injected with dye while passing thru the CT tunnel for my annual monitoring of my bronch X status then! When I had one done in Bangkok before returning to the UK, Papworth lung defence team wrote "spiral chest with contrast" as the instruction for the Thai radiographer.

[CandiR in reply to santisuk]

Wow, that is confusing! I've never even heard the expression 'spiral chest' either! You'll have to enlighten me 😊

[santisuk in reply to CandiR]

Not sure - I must be less inquisitive than you😊.

Spiral CT Scanner maybe just a more technical me of a CT Scanner? Alternatively, maybe not all CT scans go 360 degrees round the body and/or maybe not all scans are done with the body moving through the tunnel?

[Mardi]

I asked and it’s the same - they have been HR (high resolution) for a good while apparently. Adding the dye is an extra thing.

[CandiR in reply to Mardi]

Thank you Mardi, yes, I assume what I had will have been HRCT, but didn't pay much attention at the time because I wasn't aware then that they can do regular CT and HRCT, thanks again! 😊

[Alfiebax2]

I had a VQ scan ( perfusion scan ) where I was injected with radio active and had to inhale gas ( wasn't as bad as it sounds ) and when your consultant shows you the scan it's unbelievable the detail it shows in you lungs .xx

[CandiR in reply to Alfiebax2]

Thank you for your reply and I've never heard of that before Alfiebax2! And yes, it does sounds un pleasant! Do you mind me asking what it was trying to diagnose??

I'm trying to asitain what other options there may be for me, in order to try and get a proper diagnosis, I've already had what I presume was a HRCT scan but only showed minor focal collapse, I have all the symptoms/medication and sputum results of someone with Bronchiectasis but no diagnosis because of the CT scan results. 👎

[Alfiebax2]

Hi the VQ scan I had was to see if I'm eligible for LVRS (lung volume reduction surgery ).The scan proved I was and I'm waiting to go in very soon .I hope you get all the answers you need .Take care

Love Babs ❣️

[CandiR in reply to Alfiebax2]

Thank you very much for sharing that with me Babs! Sounds like you've already been through a lot, wishing you all the best, take care 😊

[Alfiebax2]

Thank you and good luck to you .

Love Babs ❣️