A computerized tomography, or CT, scan is an X-ray technique that produces cross-sectional images of the inside of your body or head. Typical scans last only a few minutes, during which time you should lie still. You may hear some whirring and clicking noises during this test, which is normal. In order to make the CT image, you will be briefly exposed to X-ray radiation, so you might want to confirm with your doctor that it is worth doing the scan. Remember to discuss any concerns you have with your doctor.

A CT scan of the head cannot diagnose prion disease, although sometimes it can diagnose other neurological conditions, such as tumors, strokes or a bleed in the brain. If the CT does not rule out CJD by finding another diagnosis, the next step is most likely a brain MRI. In many circumstances, a brain MRI will be done before or instead of a head CT. Here at UCSF, we order a body CT with and without intravenous contrast on almost all patients with suspected CJD, in order to thoroughly rule out other possible diagnoses, such as a cancer.