A CT scan of the nose and sinuses provides detailed cross-sectional images of bone and soft tissues, showing nasal cavities, septum, turbinates, and paranasal sinuses. It detects sinusitis (mucosal thickening, fluid), nasal fractures, septal deviation, polyps, tumors, bony erosion, foreign bodies, and congenital anomalies, and guides surgical planning. Contrast is occasionally used to evaluate tumors or inflammation.

Your ENT likely recommends a CT scan because it provides detailed images of bone and air-filled spaces in the head and neck, helping diagnose sinus disease, chronic infections, fractures, tumors, cholesteatoma, or mastoid involvement. It maps anatomy before surgery, shows the extent of disease and complications, and guides treatment planning. CT is fast and is more detailed than plain X-rays.

A CT scan of the nose/sinuses usually takes just a few minutes to perform—image acquisition commonly lasts 10–30 seconds, though positioning and setup mean the appointment typically runs about 10–30 minutes. If intravenous contrast is needed, allow extra time for IV placement and brief observation (often 30–60 minutes total). The exam is quick, painless, and most people resume normal activities immediately.

A CT scan is very sensitive for detecting nasal fractures, especially complex or displaced breaks, and can show bone fragments, septal injuries, and sinus involvement for surgical planning. Simple nondisplaced fractures can sometimes be missed early, so clinical evaluation and follow‑up imaging or ENT assessment may be needed. Plain X‑rays are less reliable than CT for nasal fractures.

A sinus CT scan is generally painless and noninvasive. You lie on a table that moves through the scanner while X‑rays create images; you may feel minor discomfort from lying still or from the headrest. Most sinus CTs do not require contrast dye; if dye is used, you might notice brief warmth. Some people feel anxiety or claustrophobic discomfort, but the scan itself isn’t painful.

Yes. A CT scan can detect nasal polyps as soft-tissue masses filling the nasal cavity and sinuses and is useful for assessing their size, extent, and effects on surrounding bone and sinus drainage. CT is especially helpful for surgical planning and spotting complications, though nasal endoscopy and clinical evaluation are needed to confirm the diagnosis and exclude other causes of nasal masses.