NCCT Scan: Price, Purpose, Procedure [2024]

• Purpose
• Procedure
• Preparation
• CT vs MRI
• Cost

NCCT Scan or a Non-contrast CT scan is a special X-ray test that generates cross-sectional images of the body through X-rays and a computer. It is also known as CAT or Computerized Axial Tomography. Since its inception, it has become a popular method of disease diagnosis. NCCT Scan prices usually range from Rs 1500 to Rs 6000.

Contrast material helps in improving image quality. A Non-contrast CT Scan is also called an NCCT scan and a CT scan with contrast is also called a CECT scan.

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Also Known as	NCCT Scan, CT Scan without contrast, CT Scan, CT Scan with contrast (CECT Scan)
Purpose	Detail imaging of internal organs for better diagnosis.
Preparation	NCCT Scan: No Special Preparation Required, CECT Scan: 4-6 hours of fasting
Machine Specs	The number of slices preferably should be more than 8
Reporting Time	4 to 24 hours
Cost (INR)	Rs 1500 to Rs 6000

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Picture Showing a Typical CT Scan Machine

NCCT Scan types and purpose

CT scan helps doctors in visualizing small tumours or nodules. These are difficult to capture with just a plain film X-ray. It helps in detailed diagnosis for the following specific areas or problems:

NCCT Head or Brain

NCCT Head or brain full form is a non-contrast CT scan of the head. It is done to diagnose infarction, which is the usual cause of headaches, dizziness, seizures, tumours, stroke, haemorrhage, TIA, and trauma to the patient’s bones. The doctor may recommend the use of Contrast material during the scan.

NCCT Scan of the Abdomen 

It is done to diagnose cancerous cells and monitor them. It is also a method to diagnose bowel obstruction and abdominal pain. The doctor usually recommends the use of Contrast material during this scan which is known as CECT abdomen.

NCCT Scan Temporal Bones

CT scan of the temporal bone is also done in high resolution for better imaging. The doctor usually does not recommend the use of Contrast material during these scans.

NCCT Scan PNS/ Sinus

It is to diagnose sinusitis, polyps, or a deviated septum. Read Details on CT Scan PNS here.

NCCT Scan Joints

It’s done to detect fractures, dislocations, and injury to the ligament in the Foot, Ankle, Elbow, Hip, Knee, Coccyx, & Wrist.

NCCT Scan Chest

It is done to diagnose chronic and acute changes in the lungs, like emphysema, tumours, and fibrosis.

Detail Article on CT Chest

CT Scan Extremities or Limbs

It is done to detect fractures, mass, dislocations, and injury to the ligament.

NCCT Scan of  Spine

It is to assess injury or abnormalities in the thoracic, cervical, or lumbar spine. Though MRI scan is more useful and popular in the case of the spine. You can check our detailed article on CT Cervical spine also.

CT Urogram

It is to check on the ureters, kidneys, and bladder for stones, cancers or blockages, or stenosis.

NCCT Scan KUB

It is to evaluate kidneys, ureters and bladder for stones. You can read a detailed article on CT KUB here.

Other CT Scan

CT Mandible/ CT IAC (Internal Auditory Canal)/ CT Orbits/ CT Facial Bones
The doctor may recommend any of these types for detecting tumours, infections, fractures, trauma, and other disparities in the mastoids, the jaw bone/face, and the middle and inner ear.

NCCT Scan Procedure

On the day

Usually, the patient may be asked to wear a lab gown, otherwise, loose-fitting & comfortable clothes are preferred.

In some cases, patients need to take a contrast dye to enhance the image of the tissues and blood vessels. If you know that you’re allergic to contrast material, tell your doctor before the procedure. You may be given some medications to minimize the allergic reactions to the contrast material.

You may also need to remove your pieces of jewellery and any metal fastening since metal disrupts the functioning of the CT scanner.

During the scan

You are to lie down on an exclusive, motorized examination table that slides right into a doughnut-shaped CT scanning machine.

Usually, you lie on your back, facing up. However, at times, the technician may advise you to lie sideways or facedown.

After taking one x-ray image, the couch moves slightly and the machine takes more images. To get the best results, you need to lie as still as you can.

During the actual scan, everyone will have to leave the room, except for the patient. There will just be an intercom that enables two-way communication between the patient and the radiographer. However, exceptions may be made in the case of a child or elderly but with proper precautions.

What are contrast materials and how do they work?

Contrast materials improve the images of the body parts produced by different imaging methods. Contrast materials aren’t dyes that discolour internal organs rather They’re just substances that temporarily change the way x-rays and other imaging methods interact with our body.

The use of contrast materials ensures that the tissues or structures in the body look different compared to without using the contrast. Contrast materials basically “contrast” specific sections of the body from the surrounding tissues. Better visibility of specific organs, tissues, and blood vessels helps in medical diagnosis.

Contrast material can be introduced into the body by any one of the following means.

• swallowing (orally)
• administered by enema (rectally)
• injected into the blood vessels (intravenously or intra-arterially)

After an imaging exam, our body absorbs the contrast material & it gets eliminated by urinating or moving bowels. Iodine and barium-based compounds are usually utilized in x-ray and CT scanning.

CT Scan vs MRI Scan: What is the difference?

The following are the key differences between MRI Scan and CT Scan:

• A CT scan makes use of X-rays while an MRI utilizes radio waves and magnets
• CT scan doesn’t show the ligaments and tendons while MRI does
• MRI is more efficient when examining the spinal cord
• CT Scan works better when detecting pneumonia, cancer, bleeding in the brain, abnormal chest x-rays, etc.
• MRI detects brain tumor more clearly
• CT scan shows organ injury and organ tear more quickly thus helps in cases of trauma
• A CT Scan Can clearly detect Broken vertebrae and bones
• A CT scan provides a better imaging of the lungs and other organs around the chest cavity right between the lungs

Precautions before and during the CT Scan

The CT scanner table could be very narrow. Do ask your doctor if there’s a weight limit, especially if you are over 100 Kgs.

Pregnant women should inform their doctor before the scan. X-rays are harmful to pregnant women.

If you have tried suffering from adverse side effects of contrast dye, share that information with your physician as well.

For diabetic taking the medicine metformin, there could be a special measure for this case. Thus do share your medical history with your health specialist.

A CT scan is generally safe, but to make sure that everything goes well, it’s best to know how it works and how to prepare before and during your scan schedule.

NCCT Scan Price in India

The cost of an NCCT scan varies greatly and is determined by a number of factors. It ranges between Rs 1100 to Rs 16000. It is dependent on a variety of parameters such as the lab, the location, the type of the scan, the usage of contrast material during the CT scan, and so on.

Scan Type	Delhi	Mumbai	Hyderabad	Chennai	Bangalore	Gurgaon
NCCT Brain/ Head	1200	1350	1350	1350	1350	1350
NCCT Whole Abdomen	3250	3150	2660	3150	3150	3150
NCCT PNS	1000	1350	1350	1350	1350	3150
NCCT Joints/ Bone	2450	3150	3150	3150	3150	3150
NCCT Chest	2500	2250	3150	3600	2250	2700
NCCT KUB	1950	3150	2880	3150	3150	3150
NCCT Spine (Cervical/ Lumbar)	1800	3150	2800	3150	3150	3600