Can I get a CT scan of my chest?
During the day (9am-5pm) it is possible to get a computed tomogram (CT) scan performed at Albyn Hospital. There are different types of chest CT scan.
High resolution CT scan - very good for looking at the fine structure of the lungs and no injection of dye (contrast), lower radiation than a conventional CT scan.
Contrast enhanced CT scan - a standard type of CT scan which does involve an injection of dye, but better at looking at not just the lungs but also blood vessels, glands and other structures in the chest.
CT pulmonary angiogram CT scan - a contrast enhanced scan looking specifically for blood clots (pulmonary emboli).
How quickly can it be done?
Usually CT scans are done within a few days of your appointment with me and I prefer if they are reported by one of the lung specialist Radiologists (rather than a general Radiologist). The report therefore may take a week or so, but I think this provides a higher quality report to you.
this scan SHOWS ENLARGED LYMPH NODES IN THE CHEST OF PATEINT OF MINE WITH SARCOIDOSIS.
How much does a CT scan cost?
The cost of a CT scan is paid to Albyn Hospital.
At the time of checking (January 2024):
High-resolution CT scan (HRCT) - £630
Standard (contrast-enhanced) CT scan - £795
CT pulmonary angiogram scan - £1178
Can I get other tests such as a heart scan (echo)?
Yes. Another common test that I sometimes request via my colleagues in Cardiology is a heart scan called an echocardiogram.
This can sometimes identify a heart (rather than lung) cause of breathlessness.
An echocardiogram costs £399 (at the time of checking April 2024).