What are the risks of a head and face CT scan?

The chance of a head and face CT scan causing a problem is small.

• There is a chance of an allergic reaction to the dye (contrast material).
• If you have diabetes or take metformin (Glucophage), the dye may cause problems. Your doctor will tell you when to stop taking metformin and when to start taking it again after the test so you will not have problems.
• There is a small chance of developing cancer from having some types of CT scans. The chance is higher in children, young adults and people who have many radiation tests. If you are concerned about this risk, talk to your doctor about the amount of radiation this test may give you or your child and confirm that the test is needed.