CT Scan Cost in India : Full Overview

CT Scan Cost – CT is the abbreviated form of computed tomography. It is the diagnostic imaging technique which works on the principle of the X-ray diffraction mechanism. 

The Working Mechanism of CT Scan 

In a CT scan, ionising radiations are directed at the target internal organ of the body through different angles. The signals are detected with a built-in electronic detector which measures the resulting pattern of densities along a series of linear paths and transmits these signals to produce images. This technique involves scanning a particular organ or tissue of the body; hence, it is called a CT scan or computerised axial tomography.

Instrumentation of a CT Scan

A CT scan device consists of a scanner, a table on which the patient is laid down, an X-ray machine, and a computer workstation to which the main CT is connected.

1. 1. X-ray tube – The X-ray tube converts electrical energy into photons. The X-ray beams are directed at the patient’s body while the tube is rotated around the table accordingly, targeting a particular tissue or organ.
2. 2. CT Scanner- large doughnut-shaped structure in which a patient’s table goes in and out for scanning. 
3. 3. Patient table- It is a bed on which a patient is laid down, and this table moves inside the scanner. 
4. 4. Detector – It is a built-in device of a CT scanner located at the lower half of the scanner. It captures the reflected X-rays from the patient’s body.
5. 5. Computer system- The signals are transmitted to the computer and converted into readable black and white pictures. Each image obtained in a CT scan represents a series of slices of the targeted tissue’s anatomy.
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Why Does Your Doctor Recommend you Have a CT Scan?

A physician may recommend a CT scan due to following reasons:

1. 1. To diagnose bones or muscle disorders like fractures or bone tumours.
2. 2. To guide– While carrying out surgeries, radiation therapies or biopsies, it is mandatory to take out the CT scans beforehand for the target tissues or organs.
3. 3. To detect– If a person complains of an accident or internal discomfort, the doctor recommends a CT scan to detect internal bleeding or injuries.
4. 4. To monitor– Patients undergoing chemotherapies or other surgical treatments for cancer are required to get a CT scan repeatedly after every therapy to check the effectiveness of the treatment. 
5. 5. To track– a CT scan helps in monitoring various heart diseases, liver masses or lung nodules
6. 6. To identify– for pinpointing the site of infection, blood clotting or tumour, a CT scan is carried out.
7. 7. Contrast material- Contrast material is a special dye. Certain patients are asked to drink it before the test, and it can be inserted into the rectum before the procedure or injected into veins according to the part examined.
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A plain CT scan is different from a contrast CT scan.

A contrast CT scan is computed tomography using contrast material or dye to differentiate the target tissue or organ clearly. The contrast dye may be injected or given orally to the patient according to the region to be scanned. On the other hand, a plain CT scan does not involve such dies, and unlike a contrast CT scan, there is no need to be on an empty stomach before a plain CT scan.

How much to pay for a CT Scan?

Costs of various types of CT scans in India.

Depending on the part to be scanned, the charges for CT scans vary accordingly. 

1. 1. CT spine: A single CT scan of the thoracic/ lumbar/ cervical spine can cost you around ₹ 2000 – ₹ 4000.

2. 2. Brain CT scan: A complete brain CT scan will cost you around ₹ 3000- ₹ 4000

3. 3. Abdominal scan: To get a CT scan of your abdomen, you may be charged approximately ₹ 3000-₹ 4000

4. 4. CT Brain Plain Scan: A plain CT scan brain will cost you around ₹ 1000- ₹ 3000

5. 5. CT Pelvis and Abdomen (Plain): The CT scan which scans the pelvic and abdominal region of the body and it can cost you around ₹ 3500- ₹ 5500

6. 6. CT scan pelvis and abdomen (contrast): ₹ 5000 to ₹ 7000 

7. 7. CT scan- KUB (plain scan): The combined CT scan for Ureters, Bladder, and Kidney. The cost for a KUB CT scan range from ₹ 2500 to ₹5000

8. 8. CT scan- KUB (contrast): A contrast CT for Ureters, Bladder, and Kidney (combined) can cost you around ₹ 3500 to ₹5500

9. 9. CT Pelvis Contrast Scan: To get a contrast CT scan for the pelvic region, you may be charged approximately ₹ 3000 to ₹ 6000

10. 10. CT Brain and PNS Plain Scan: The cost for a plain CT scan of the brain and peripheral nervous system can range from₹ 1500 to ₹ 7000

11. 11. CT PNS Contrast Scan: To get a CT scan for the peripheral nervous system, you may be charged approximately ₹ 3000 to ₹ 6000
12. 12. CT Upper Abdomen and Thorax (Contrast): The cost for a contrast CT scan of the upper abdomen and thorax can range from ₹ 5000 to ₹ 8000

13. 13. CT Thorax Plain Scan: A complete thorax plain CT scan will cost you around ₹ 2000 to ₹ 4000

14. 14. CT scan thorax (contrast): To get a contrast CT scan of the thoracic region, you may be charged approximately ₹ 3000 to ₹ 5500

15. 15. CT Scan PNS (Contrast): To scan your peripheral nervous system, you may be charged approximately ₹ 3000 to ₹ 6000

16. 16. CT Extremities Limb Plain: To get a CT scan for limbs, you may be charged approximately ₹ 3500 to ₹ 5500

17. 17. CT Extremities Limb (contrast): Cost for a CT scan of limbs ranges from ₹ 5000 to ₹ 7000

18. 18. Orbit CT (Plain): To get a CT scan for the peripheral nervous system, you may be charged approximately ₹ 1500 to ₹ 4000

19. 19. Orbit CT (contrast): A complete orbit CT scan will cost you around ₹ 3000 to ₹ 6000

20. 20. Neck CT scan (plain): To get a CT scan for the neck region, you may be charged ₹ 

2000 to ₹ 4000. 

21. 21. Neck CT scan (contrast): To get a contrast CT scan for the neck region, you may be charged ₹ 3000 to ₹ 5000.
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The cost of a CT scan is variable among different states of India. 

Cost of CT scan in different cities in India

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of a CT scan?

The cost of a CT scan is different in different diagnostic laboratories. However, the price for a single CT scan may range from 1500 to 7,000. Also, depending on the part to be examined, the charges for CT scans may vary accordingly.

What is the price of a CT scan in Delhi?

In Delhi, a CT scan costs different in different diagnostic laboratories. However, the price for a single CT scan may range from 2000 to 10,000. Also, depending on the part to be examined, the charges for CT scans may vary accordingly. A contrast CT scan is more expensive than a plain CT scan.

Which is cheaper, MRI or CT scan?

The cost of an MRI is more than a CT scan. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and computed tomography (CT Scan) are diagnostic imaging procedures, MRI is based on magnetic radiation, and CT scan works through ionizing radiations. However, MRI is costlier than a CT scan as the price of an MRI is more or less double that of a CT scan. On average, CT scans cost around ₹ 3000, while MRI costs you around ₹ 6500.

Is CT scan time taking?

Though a CT scan is a fast procedure, the time taken for examination in a CT scan is usually between 20-40 minutes. The time for a CT scan broadly depends on the region of the body to be examined and the type of the CT scan (contrast or plain).

What is a CT scan used for?

Physicians may ask you for a CT scan for the following problems:

• 1. Blood clots
• 2. Heart disease
• 3. Liver masses
• 4. Cancer
• 5. Internal bleeding
• 6. Emphysema
• 7. Excess fluid
• 8. Tumours
• 9. Infection
• 10. Bone tumours and fractures 
•  

Is undergoing a CT scan risky? Or does it cause any pain?

A computed tomography procedure is not a painful diagnostic test. However, it may be risky for some people or under some conditions. 

1. 1. Risk to unborn babies: Although the radiations of CT scans are of a very low dose, that does not harm humans. However, if a woman is pregnant, she might inform her doctor of her so that her doctor can recommend alternative diagnostic techniques like magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasound because ionising radiations are more harmful to unborn babies than magnetic radiations and ultrasonic waves.

2. 2. Exposure to radiations: CT scan imaging involves brief exposure to ionising radiations. In a CT scan, detailed information about a target tissue is obtained from different angles. Therefore, CT involves a comparatively high dose of ionising radiation than normal X- rays. Since your body is exposed to a high dose of ionising radiation, frequent CT scans may lead to cancer.
3.  

Experts in this field chose a minimal radiation dose to get information about the target tissue. 

You can discuss possible risk factors of a CT scan with your doctor. 

3. 3. Reactions to contrast material: In certain cases, your doctor may recommend that you receive a special dye called contrast material. Contrast material is a special dye. Certain patients are asked to drink it before the CT scan, and it can be inserted into the rectum before the procedure or injected into veins according to the part examined. 
4.  

Prepare yourself before you go for a CT scan

Patients are asked to do the following things:

1. 1. To remove metal objects
2. 2. Stop eating/drinking 
3. 3. Remove personal clothing
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To remove metal objects: Patients are asked to remove metallic things like jewellery, eyeglasses, belt, etc.

Stop eating/drinking: People must have an empty stomach before a CT scan.

Remove personal clothing: Depending on the region to be examined, people need to wear hospital gowns instead of their clothing.

What do you mean by a CT scan?

CT is the abbreviated form of computed tomography. It is the diagnostic imaging technique which works on the principle of the X-ray diffraction mechanism. 

What is the principle behind a CT scan?

In a CT scan, ionising radiations are directed at the target internal organ of the body through different angles. The signals are detected with a built-in electronic detector which measures the resulting pattern of densities along a series of linear paths and transmits these signals to produce images. This technique involves scanning a particular organ or tissue of the body; hence, it is called a CT scan or computerised axial tomography.

What is the instrumentation involved in a CT scan?

Instrumentation of a CT Scan

A CT scan device consists of a scanner, a table on which the patient is laid down, an X-ray machine, and a computer workstation to which the main CT is connected.

1. 1. CT Scanner- large doughnut-shaped structure in which a patient’s table goes in and out for scanning. 
2. 2. Patient table- It is a bed on which a patient is laid down, and this table moves inside the scanner. 
3. 3. X-ray tube – The X-ray tube converts electrical energy into photons. The X-ray beams are directed at the patient’s body while the tube is rotated around the table accordingly, targeting a particular tissue or organ.
4. 4. Detector – It is a built-in device of a CT scanner located at the lower half of the scanner. It captures the reflected X-rays from the patient’s body.
5. 5. Computer system- The signals are transmitted to the computer and converted into readable black and white pictures. Each image obtained in a CT scan represents a series of slices of the targeted tissue’s anatomy.
6.  

Why does your doctor recommend you have a CT Scan?

A physician may recommend a CT scan due to following reasons:

1. 1. To diagnose 
2. 2. To guide
3. 3. To detect
4. 4. To monitor
5. 5. To track
6. 6. To identify
7.  

Risks associated with a CT scan test?

A computed tomography procedure is not a painful diagnostic test. However, it may be risky for some people or under some conditions. 

1. 1. Risk to unborn babies
2. 2. Exposure to radiation
3. 3. Reactions to contrast material
4.  

Is there any difference between a contrast CT scan and a plain CT scan?

A contrast CT scan is computed tomography using contrast material or dye to differentiate the target tissue or organ clearly. The contrast dye may be injected or given orally to the patient according to the region to be scanned. On the other hand, a plain CT scan does not involve such dies, and unlike a contrast CT scan, there is no need to be on an empty stomach before a plain CT scan.

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