Neck computed tomography (CT) is a radiological imaging method focusing on the neck to diagnose anatomical and pathological complications in this region. It is used to observe deep neck space, the upper aerodigestive tract, salivary glands, and other structures in the neck. Neck CT reporting services allow the remote analysis and interpretation of images obtained using these procedures.
This type of CT is a high-resolution technique, and it is often combined wit CT-angiography. Under trauma-focused neck-CT imaging, images are captured from multiple angles and then reconstructed using a computerized system. This method is used to detect laryngeal and tracheal fractures, penetrating injuries and foreign bodies, soft-tissue emphysema and hematomas, and delayed airway compromise.
This method is a contrast-enhanced CT which is used in fascial plane visualization. It is an effective tool in tracking disease spread within the anatomical spaces. Using a deep neck space CT, radiologists can identify sepsis, mediastinitis, airway obstruction, etc. It is also used as a pre-imaging tool before performing surgical draining.
Oncologic neck CT is another contrast-enhanced CT and is specifically used to detect tumors and malignancies. It is coupled with the standard TNM staging, which is a standardized grading system for cancers. It is used to define tumor size, indirect perineural spread, nodal necrosis and extranodal extension, and other treatment related complications.
Listed below are the conditions that can be diagnosed using neck CT:
Deep neck space infections
Peritonsillar, parapharyngeal, retropharyngeal abscess
Cellulitis and phlegmon
Sialadenitis
Thyroiditis
Lymphadenitis
Infectious & Inflammatory Conditions
Deep neck space infections
Cellulitis and phlegmon
Sialadenitis
Thyroiditis
Lymphadenitis
Thyroid nodules and goiter
Salivary gland tumors
Lipoma
Paraganglioma
Laryngeal and tracheal fractures
Cervical soft-tissue hematoma
Penetrating neck injuries
Foreign bodies (airway, esophagus)
Vascular injury secondary to trauma
At Statim Healthcare, the following workflow is used to report neck CT scans:
The consulting clinician refers the patient to a neck CT scan based on the clinical complaint, patient history, and other information.
The neck CT imaging is performed at the hospital/medical institution by a technician.
Once the images are obtained, these are then sent to Statim Healthcare for a radiological analysis.
At Statim, the case is referred to a suitable radiologist or a radiological subspecialist.
The images are then analyzed and interpreted by the radiologist. They make sure to correlate the image findings with the relevant clinical data.
Once a diagnosis is determined, the radiologist prepares a report encompassing the examination method, image observations, findings, recommendations, etc.
This report is electronically signed and sent to the hospital using a secure delivery system or the hospital RACS/PIS system.
After-hours and emergency neck CT reporting is essential for those neck-related complications that require immediate attention, and the complaint usually arrives in the non-working hours. Often in such cases, the patient’s condition is critical; however, there might be a lack of on-site radiologists who can interpret and analyze the neck CT images within the critical time. Next CT reporting services allow hospitals to access radiological reporting for faster clinical decision-making.
Listed below are the institutions that use neck CT reporting services:
Emergency and trauma centres
Tertiary care hospitals
Oncology centres and cancer hospitals
ENT (Otolaryngology) departments and hospitals
Rural and remote healthcare institutions
Statim Healthcare offers remote reporting services for neck CT scans by specialty and subspecialty radiologists. Using a systematic model for radiological reporting, Statim assists healthcare providers in obtaining accurate diagnoses in a timely manner.