Chest Pain or Shortness of Breath — Call 911
Sudden severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, coughing up blood, or rapid heart rate may indicate a cardiac or pulmonary emergency. Call 911 immediately. Do not seek a CT order through DOD for potential cardiac or pulmonary emergencies.
CT Chest Scan: What Patients Should Know
A CT chest scan uses computed tomography to create detailed cross-sectional images of the lungs, mediastinum, pleural spaces, chest wall, and surrounding structures. It involves ionizing radiation and may be ordered with or without contrast depending on the clinical question determined by a licensed provider.
Educational content only. DOD does not perform or interpret CT scans. Emergency symptoms require immediate ER evaluation, not a DOD consultation.
Quick Answer
A CT chest scan provides detailed cross-sectional images of the lungs, airways, mediastinum (heart, great vessels, lymph nodes), pleural spaces, and chest wall. It uses ionizing radiation and is significantly more detailed than a chest X-ray. CT chest may be ordered without contrast, with contrast, or with contrast timing optimized for specific structures (CTA). Provider orders are required. DOD can review non-emergency CT chest order requests for eligible patients in supported states.
What CT Chest Imaging Shows
Lung Parenchyma
Lung tissue, airways, small nodules, consolidation, emphysema, interstitial changes
Mediastinum
Heart, pericardium, great vessels (aorta, pulmonary arteries), lymph nodes, trachea, esophagus
Pleural Spaces
Pleural fluid, pneumothorax, pleural thickening, masses
Chest Wall and Ribs
Rib fractures, chest wall masses, soft tissue
Thoracic Spine
Vertebral bodies and alignment visible on chest CT but in less detail than dedicated spine CT or MRI
Diaphragm
Diaphragmatic anatomy and hernias
Frequently Asked Questions — CT Chest
Sources
- Chest CT — Patient Information — RadiologyInfo.org (ACR / RSNA)
- CT Scans — MedlinePlus (NIH)
- Lung Cancer Screening — USPSTF — U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)
Related Education and Order Pages
Need a Provider Review for a CT Chest Order?
$40 virtual provider review for non-emergency CT orders. Emergency symptoms require ER evaluation.
Start Virtual Consult — $40Not for emergencies. Orders not guaranteed.
Educational content only. DOD does not perform or interpret CT scans. Emergency symptoms require immediate ER evaluation.