# Ct scan with contrast **URL:** \ **Category:** General\ **Created:** [March 26, 2023, 11:13pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/ct-scan-with-contrast/13059 "2023-03-26T23:13:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Greenway22](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/greenway22/32/5025_2.png) [@Greenway22](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Greenway22)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2023, 11:13pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/ct-scan-with-contrast/13059/1 "2023-03-26T23:13:30Z")
Hi, Months back I was pregnant and in extreme pain considering that ES may be my problem. I felt a lot better after giving birth and most of my issues went away. Slowly symptoms are starting to creep back up and I find myself again wondering if it could have anything to do with ES. I was able to get a ct scan with contrast but they did not check my styloids. I’m also not sure what exactly I would be looking for or what part of the ct I would need to post to get an answer. Can anyone guide me on which part of the CT I need to be referencing? Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![Isaiah\_40\_31](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/isaiah_40_31/32/3054_2.png) [@Isaiah\_40\_31](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Isaiah_40_31)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2023, 7:00am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/ct-scan-with-contrast/13059/2 "2023-03-27T07:00:16Z")
I’m sorry your symptoms are coming back @Greenway22. If the scan shows the area between your skull base & hyoid bone, your styloids may be visible. The trouble w/ scans where contrast is used is that the contrast makes the soft tissues visible (which is good) but when soft tissues are visible it can be difficult to see the styloids because the soft tissues can cover them up. Was your scan a CT or an MRI? Here are two examples from a CT w/o contrast: ![Styloid - L](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/uploads/ben_eagle/original/2X/3/33c5db8a15019c0b748b3dadceb7daee75f5bbbd.jpeg) ![Styloids Front View Close-up annotated 2](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/uploads/ben_eagle/original/2X/5/5f5abdc98da40717b0efc99bf78b2451ae0d9aee.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Greenway22](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/greenway22/32/5025_2.png) [@Greenway22](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Greenway22)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2023, 5:45pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/ct-scan-with-contrast/13059/3 "2023-03-27T17:45:47Z")
It was a ct scan with contrast on the head and neck. I did have another ct scan done regarding my sinuses without contrast. From what I can see on my scan they don’t look anything like the above references. ---
**Author:** ![Jules](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/jules/32/404_2.png) [@Jules](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Jules)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2023, 5:59pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/ct-scan-with-contrast/13059/4 "2023-03-27T17:59:20Z")
So sorry that your symptoms are back, must be hard with a baby to look after! Some members have been able to get their CTs reviewed by radiologists to look at the styloids, that might be possible? ---
**Author:** ![Greenway22](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/greenway22/32/5025_2.png) [@Greenway22](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Greenway22)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2023, 6:09pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/ct-scan-with-contrast/13059/5 "2023-03-27T18:09:38Z")
Not sure if there is some way to alter the view of the ct? My scan looks like the little square on the left hand side of the example posted. I may have to look into that regarding Radiologists. ---
**Author:** ![Isaiah\_40\_31](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/isaiah_40_31/32/3054_2.png) [@Isaiah\_40\_31](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Isaiah_40_31)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2023, 12:55am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/ct-scan-with-contrast/13059/6 "2023-03-28T00:55:38Z")
You’re seeing the CT slices which is how a CT is done - many slices. The images I posted are CT slices put in 3D. My CT scan images included 4 3D images so I could better see what the CT scan showed. Some of our members have been able to get the radiology lab where their CT was done, do a 3D conversion of their images. Others have had to do it themselves when they couldn’t get it done professionally. There are free 3D slicer apps online to convert slices to 3D images. One that’s popular among our forum members is RadiAnt Viewer - [https://www.radiantviewer.com](https://www.radiantviewer.com). A few years ago, our member, @SnappleofDiscord, posted detailed instructions for using 3D slicer software w/ a link to the specific software he used. > [@Making Your Own 3D Images from CT Scan- 3D Slicer Tutorial](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/making-your-own-3d-images-from-ct-scan-3d-slicer-tutorial/988): > > The Amazing 3D Slicer Tutorial! This is a step by step walk-thru for anyone who wants to render or play with their CT scans. I'm going to focus specifically on rendering a model to view the styloids. I'm using Windows for this guide. Also, the images are embedded so be sure to use the DESKTOP VIEW if you're on a mobile device. This tutorial is broken down into Little steps so even those who aren't very comfortable with technology can use the program. It looks long, but it's easy! There'… I hope one or the other of these is helpful for you. ---
**Author:** ![CJsBattle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d9b06d/32.png) [@CJsBattle](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/CJsBattle)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2023, 3:21pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/ct-scan-with-contrast/13059/7 "2023-03-29T15:21:02Z")
When viewing a 2D CT scan the most useful view for visualizing the styloids is usually the coronal view. You may still have to scroll between the slices to see where each styloid ends to properly measure it. But you should be able to see most of the styloid in a single frame. See attached photo. ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/uploads/ben_eagle/original/2X/e/ef6dfcad065a79a726c9e6bb8de26e2b18de0c3b.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Greenway22](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/greenway22/32/5025_2.png) [@Greenway22](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Greenway22)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2023, 11:58pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/ct-scan-with-contrast/13059/8 "2023-03-29T23:58:53Z")
This helped with what view to look at! Unfortunately because mine is with contrast the soft tissue is all I can see. Thank you though! ---
**Author:** ![Isaiah\_40\_31](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/isaiah_40_31/32/3054_2.png) [@Isaiah\_40\_31](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Isaiah_40_31)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2023, 2:43am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/ct-scan-with-contrast/13059/9 "2023-03-30T02:43:39Z")
@Greenway22 -Even though the may not be clearly seen, to the trained eye, parts of them can be visible & can give an idea of their angle, thickness & length, & if they’re causing vascular compression.