Can a ct scan also scan for brain tumors? i had a ct scan done a while ago to check my sinuses, but now i fear i may have a brain tumor. i was wondering if a doctor could look at the same ct scan to check for brain tumors.

No, : No, unfortunately a ct scan performed to evaluate the sinuses generally cannot be used to evaluate the brain for tumor. There are two reasons for this. First, the field-of-view of a sinus ct generally only includes the face and small portions of the front part of the brain; this view provides excellent evaluation of the sinuses but does not include the majority of the brain. Second, the computer algorithm used to reconstruct the images on a sinus ct emphasizes bony detail but this is suboptimal for evaluation of the brain.

Depends: It really depends on the technique used and to what extent the scan went. If it did not encompass the entire head, it will be inadequate. You should verify with your ordering physician.

Probably not.: A ct of the sinuses wouldn't get much of a look at the brain. An MRI of the brain would be the best test for a brain tumor. Of course i don't know anything about you, but fearing you have a brain tumor is often separate from actually having one, fortunately.