Jump to content

Choose locationChoose Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location

We've expanded your view

You are now viewing all services in the Sutter Health network. You can change your location above to narrow your view to a medical group, hospital, city or zip.
Sutter Health
  • Video Visits
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
  • Locations
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Video Visits
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Diseases & Conditions
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • Services
  • Endocrinology
  • Orbit CT Scan
Content

Orbit CT Scan

A computed tomography (CT) scan of the orbit is an imaging method. It uses x-rays to create detailed pictures of the eye sockets (orbits), eyes and surrounding bones.

Alternative Names

CT scan - orbital; Eye CT scan; Computed tomography scan - orbit

How the Test is Performed

You lie on a narrow table that slides into the center of the CT scanner. Only your head is placed inside the CT scanner.

You may be allowed to rest your head on a pillow.

Once you are inside the scanner, the machine's x-ray beam rotates around you.

A computer creates separate images of the body area, called slices. These images can be stored, viewed on a monitor, or printed on film. The computer can create three-dimensional models of the body area by stacking the slices together.

You must lie still during the exam, because movement causes blurred images. You may be told to hold your breath for short periods.

The actual scan takes about 30 seconds. The entire process takes about 15 minutes.

Open Article Detail

How to Prepare for the Test

Before the test:

  • You will be asked to remove jewelry and wear a hospital gown during the study.
  • If you weigh more than 300 pounds (135 kilograms), find out if the CT machine has a weight limit. Too much weight can cause damage to the scanner's working parts.

Certain exams require a special dye, called contrast, to be delivered into the body before the test starts. Contrast helps certain areas show up better on the x-rays.

  • Contrast can be given through a vein (IV) in your hand or forearm. If contrast is used, you may also be asked not to eat or drink anything for 4 to 6 hours before the test.
  • Let your health care provider know if you have ever had a reaction to contrast. You may need to take medicines before the test in order to safely receive this substance.
  • Before receiving the contrast, tell your provider if you take the diabetes medicine metformin (Glucophage) because you may need to take extra precautions.
  • Before the scan, let your provider know if you have poor kidney function. This is because the contrast may not be able to be used.

How the Test will Feel

Some people may have discomfort from lying on the hard table.

Contrast given through an IV may cause a slight burning sensation. You may also have a metallic taste in the mouth and a warm flushing of the body. These sensations are normal and most often go away within a few seconds.

Why the Test is Performed

This test is helpful for diagnosing diseases that affect the following areas:

  • Blood vessels
  • Eye muscles
  • Eyes
  • Nerves supplying the eyes (optic nerves)
  • Sinuses

An orbit CT scan may also be used to detect:

  • Abscess (infection) of the eye area
  • Broken eye socket bone
  • Foreign object in the eye socket

What Abnormal Results Mean

Abnormal results may mean:

  • Bleeding
  • Broken eye socket bone
  • Graves disease
  • Infection
  • Tumor

Risks

CT scans and other x-rays are strictly monitored and controlled to make sure they use the least amount of radiation. The risk associated with any individual scan is very low. The risk increases as more studies are performed.

CT scans are done when the benefits greatly outweigh the risks. For example, it can be more risky not to have the exam, especially if your provider thinks you might have cancer.

The most common type of contrast given into a vein contains iodine. If a person with an iodine allergy is given this type of contrast, nausea, sneezing, vomiting, itching, or hives may occur. If you have a known allergy to contrast but need it for a successful exam, you may receive antihistamines (such as Benadryl) or steroids before the test.

The kidneys help filter the iodine out of the body. If you have kidney disease or diabetes, you should be closely monitored for kidney problems after contrast is given. If you have diabetes or have kidney disease, talk to your provider before the test about your risks.

Before receiving the contrast, tell your provider if you take the diabetes medicine metformin (Glucophage) because you may need to take extra precautions and stop the medicine for 48 hours after the test.

In rare cases, the dye can cause a life-threatening allergic response called anaphylaxis. If you have any trouble breathing during the test, you should tell the scanner operator right away. Scanners come with an intercom and speakers, so the operator can hear you at all times.

References

Thust SC, Miszkiel K, Davagnanam I. Orbit. In: Adam A, Dixon AK, Gillard JH, Schaefer-Prokop CM, eds. Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology: A Textbook of Medical Imaging. 6th ed. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone; 2014:chap 66.

Related Articles

From Sutter Health

    Talking To Your MD

      Self Care

        Other Related Content

          Patient Information

          Couple in kitchen looking at digital tablet

          Interested in becoming a Sutter patient? Here’s what you need to know about health plans, choosing a doctor and how to get started today.

          • Accepted Health Plans
          • Tips for Choosing a Doctor
          • Health Insurance Guide

          Find a Doctor Who Fits Your Needs

          Patient Stories

          Patient Sees New Hope for Limb Salvage

          Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was 2 years old, Carol has spent her life dealing with complications of the disease.

          Patient's Wake-Up Call Prompts Walking Routine, Weight Loss

          Sury Maturi explains how losing weight with HMR benefited his and his family's health.

          Outpatient Diabetes Center Improves Local Access

          Living Well with Diabetes Classes spread diabetes education across eastern Contra Costa county.

          As Luck — and a Good Treatment Plan — Would Have It

          David's diabetic ulcer treatment had not been healing his wound. Physicians recommended amputating his foot before he visited the Wound Care Clinic.

          View All Stories

          Related Videos

          Dr. Chhavi Mehta offers some health tips on managing pre-diabetes.

          Dr. Chhavi Mehta on Managing Pre-Diabetes

          Dr. Chhavi Mehta offers some health tips on managing pre-diabetes.

          Dr. Chhavi Mehta on Managing Pre-Diabetes
          The Sutter Health Network of Care
          Expertise to fit your needs
          Primary Care

          Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children.

          Specialty Care

          Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine.

          Emergency Care

          For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care.

          Urgent Care

          After-hours, weekend and holiday services.

          Walk-In Care

          Convenient walk-in care clinics for your non-urgent health needs.

          About Sutter

        • About Our Network
        • Annual Report
        • Awards
        • Community Benefit
        • Contact Us
        • News
        • Giving
        • Find Care

        • Birth Centers
        • Care Centers
        • Emergency Rooms
        • Hospitals
        • Imaging
        • Labs
        • Surgery Centers
        • Urgent Care
        • Walk-In Care
        • View All >
        • Featured Services

        • Behavioral Health
        • Cancer Services
        • Family Medicine
        • Home Health and Hospice
        • Orthopedics
        • Pediatrics
        • Pregnancy
        • Primary Care
        • Women's Health
        • View All >
        • Patient Resources

        • Accepted Health Plans
        • Classes and Events
        • Estimate Costs
        • Flu Resources
        • Health and Wellness
        • Medical Records
        • Medicare
        • My Health Online
        • Pay a Bill
        • Symptom Checker
        • Our Team

        • For Employees
        • Physician Careers
        • Recruiting Events
        • Sutter Careers
        • Vendors
        • Volunteers
          • ADA Accessibility
          • Contact
          • Privacy
          • Do Not Sell My Personal Information

          • LinkedIn Opens new window
          • YouTube Opens new window
          • Facebook Opens new window
          • Twitter Opens new window
          • Glassdoor Opens new window
          • Instagram Opens new window

          Copyright © 2021 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

          Cookie Policy

          We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences

          Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences