Your sinuses are the open spaces in your skull behind your nose, cheeks, forehead, and between your eyes. These areas are part of a complex network of drainage and airflow passages in your respiratory system. Your sinuses also produce mucus to keep these areas moisturized and to filter out any bacteria and dust entering your body.
Unfortunately, your sinuses can become irritated and inflamed. When this occurs, it can cause swelling and mucus buildup. One of the first signs of sinus issues is a headache. But, a sinus headache isn’t your average headache. They usually have additional symptoms, including:
- Postnasal drip
- Nasal congestion
- Pain or pressure on the bridge of your nose, cheeks, forehead, or teeth
- Pain when moving your head or that worsens when lying down or bending over
- Fullness in your ears
- Fever and fatigue
- Facial swelling
If you have symptoms resembling a sinus headache, we can help. Dr. Cecil Yeung and our team offer on-site sinus CT scans at Houston Sinus Surgery. This quick and painless test can help us get to the bottom of your sinus or nasal issues, so you can get the relief you need as quickly as possible.
CT scans of the sinuses
CT scans are painless, noninvasive, and accurate. Our on-site equipment uses low-dose X-ray energy to create three-dimensional models of the blood vessels, soft tissues, and bones in your face. This innovative approach can provide us with clear and detailed images of your sinuses and nasal passages in a matter of minutes.
We can use a sinus CT scan to:
- Diagnose the cause of sinus headaches
- Check for signs of inflammatory sinus disease
- Confirming sinusitis or sinus infections
- Evaluate congested sinuses
- Review sinus and nasal anatomy before surgery
- Look for tumors or other sinus abnormalities
CT scans are one of the safest ways to study the sinuses, and they offer the most reliable imaging for diagnosing obstructions and other problems.
What to expect from a CT scan of the sinuses
Having a CT scan of your sinuses is a simple procedure that takes place at our office. You can wear comfortable clothing or a gown, but you have to remove any metal objects from your body because they can interfere with imaging technology. These types of items include glasses, jewelry, dentures, underwire bras, and piercings.
During your test, you lie on an exam table, and the large scanner rotates around your head. In most cases, we position you on your back but, sometimes, we have you lie face down with your chin raised.
Once you’re in position, we move to a nearby workstation where we operate the scanner and monitor your screening. While your test is underway, you can hear us and talk to us through a speaker and microphone. It takes the scanner less than a minute to produce your pictures, and the entire process usually takes less than 10 minutes.
Sinus CT scans offer numerous benefits, including:
- A quick and accurate diagnosis
- Minimal radiation exposure
- Less need for more invasive procedures and testing
When your scan finishes, we analyze the images to determine the cause of your sinus headache and outline a personalized treatment strategy to relieve your symptoms.
If you have a sinus headache, get an accurate diagnosis fast with a CT scan. Book an appointment online or over the phone with Houston Sinus surgery today.
