
Should I Get A Conventional CAT Scan Or An I-CAT (3D Cone Beam)?

Are these worries unfounded or should I get a conventional Cat Scan?
Thanks for the query
Regarding the imaging studies of the nose and paranasal sinuses, it is always better to go for the more conventional and widely used plain Computed Tomography (CT scan).
The merits and demerits of conventional CT scan are:
1. CT scan is a painless non invasive procedure with good sensitivity to detect pathology of the head and paranasal sinuses.
2. CT scan is much cheaper than an MRI or CONE BEAM COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY (CBCT) and also equally as fast as the former.
3. Conventional CT scanning does not need much expertise to read the scan and most of the ENT specialists are well oriented to this investigation.
4. Newer generation CT scanning can also create 3 dimensional images almost similar to that of CBCT.
5. Exposure to radiation is more in conventional CT scan when compared to CBCT.
The merits and demerits of CBCT are:
1. It provides exceptionally good 3 dimensional images which help s analyze the nasal airway, paranasal sinuses and dental images. Most commonly used for dental procedures.
2. Radiation exposure is less compared to that of conventional CT scan
3. Not all doctors can read this film like a normal CTs can
4. If surgery has to be planned, then many doctors would prefer to have a conventional CTscan for locating the landmarks during surgery.
Hence to sum it up, even though CBCT is a better radiological tool when compared to conventional CTscan, the latter is the most sought after investigation for diagnosing sinonasal problems. Do not worry, the amount of radiation what you get with the conventional CT scan is not going to cause any health hazards unless you are in debilitated condition, which you are not so. So, please get a normal CT scan of the nose and paranasal sinuses done in both axial and coronal views.
I hope I have answered your query. I will be available for the follow-up queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon


Specifically in terms of accuracy, is one of the scans more accurate than the other? (would one be able to detect abnormalities or polyps better than the other)
And lastly, what is your opinion of nasal rinses/neti-pot, is it something you recommend? I also heard that one is not supposed to use them when the nose is blocked, do you know if this is true?
Welcome back
There is a very minimal difference between both the types of scans, and both can pick of the abnormalities in the nose. But, if a doctor is looking at a surgery point of view, then plain CT scan of the paranasal sinuses is required.
Nasal douching (neti pot) is very helpful in patients with long term sinusitis problems (both allergic rhino-sinusitis and chronic sinusitis); you can definitely give a try. It is not harmful even when you use it during nasal block.
Wish you good health
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Answered by

Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty
Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist
Practicing since :2001
Answered : 2545 Questions
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