- Ultrasound
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
- CT (Computed Tomography)
Your pediatric ENT specialist may recommend various different imaging tests to better evaluate different medical problems. These tests are performed for many different reasons ranging from hearing loss to head and neck infections/masses to sinusitis. The type of imaging test that may be needed varies on the medical problem. For instance, some neck masses such as thyroglossal duct cysts are best evaluated by an ultrasound whereas an MRI best evaluates a neck mass suspicious for a lymphatic malformation. Occasionally more than one imaging test may be recommended such as when a cochlear implant is being considered for hearing loss. We refer children to different imaging centers all across the Dallas – Fort Worth area. Some imaging tests can be done close to home whereas others are best done at major children’s hospitals such as Dallas Children’s or Cook Children’s Hospitals.
Depending on the age of your child and the imaging test that is required, it may be necessary to have the imaging test done with sedation or even general anesthesia.
The most common imaging tests that we recommend include a ultrasound, an MRI or a CT scan.
Ultrasound
ENT for Children might recommend an ultrasound for your child’s problem. Ultrasounds are most commonly requested for masses or swellings within the neck or face. Advantages of an ultrasound are that there is no radiation exposure, it is painless and it usually it does not require sedation or anesthesia. The report is quickly obtained. The imaging center will send us the ultrasound report directly.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan displays very detailed images of the soft tissue of the head and neck using special, extremely powerful magnets. This scan produces cross section pictures of the region of interest. This scan is commonly ordered for hearing loss evaluations or for masses of the head and face. Advantages of an MRI include: very detailed imaging and avoidance of radiation exposure. An MRI scan takes longer and thus may require sedation or anesthesia for your child to stay still during the entire exam. Movement during the test can blur the images and render them useless. Some medical problems may require injection of contrast material into the veins through an IV during the scan. The imaging center will send us the MRI report directly; however we do require that you obtain a copy of the MRI images on a CD for your surgeon to look at.
CT (Computed Tomography)
A CT (Computed Tomography) scan is another imaging test that provides detailed images of the head and neck. A CT scan is a diagnostic imaging test that will produce detailed cross section images of the region of interest. A CT scan is a shorter test than an MRI and thus only requires your child to stay still for a short period of time. Some medical problems may require injection of contrast material into the veins through an IV during the scan.
CT scans are helpful for many different head and neck problems, some of which include: hearing loss, masses of the head and face, sinusitis, choanal atresia or cholesteatoma of the ear. The imaging center will send us the CT report directly; however we do require that you obtain a copy of the CT images on a CD for your surgeon to look at.
A CT scan does have radiation exposure; some CT scans have more than others. ENT for Children understands parent’s concerns about CT scans and radiation exposure. We will discuss the pros and cons of getting a CT scan for your child’s medical problem. We always take radiation exposure into account when recommending a CT scan for your child.