Chest CT Scans

Already have an NHS referral? Send it over and skip the wait
Appointments within 2–3 days, often the same day
No GP referral required
Results in 3–5 working days
Prices from £430

What is a chest CT scan for?

If an X-ray or physical exam hasn’t given you the answers you need, a chest CT scan can help. It takes detailed images of your lungs, heart, blood vessels and chest, giving our specialists a much clearer picture of what’s going on, whether you’ve been dealing with a cough that won’t go away, wheezing, chest pain or signs of an infection.

Because CT scans use a small amount of radiation, a doctor will always check your symptoms first to make sure the scan is right for you. The good news? You don’t need a referral from your NHS GP, and appointments are usually available within 2–3 days, often on the same day.

Already have an NHS referral?

Just send it over to us. Our experienced radiographers will review the details and book your appointment straight away, so you can skip the wait.

No referral? No problem

You can refer yourself, and we’ll include a free consultation with one of our private GPs to make sure a chest CT is the right scan for you.

You can also see a private GP for quick answers and then continue your treatment on the NHS if you need to, so you can get the reassurance you need without the long wait.

What organs does a chest CT scan show?

A chest CT gives us a detailed look at everything inside your chest, including:

Your lungs: from the lung tissue and tiny air sacs to the larger sections (lobes) and airways, helping us spot things like infections such as pneumonia, fluid, nodules or growths.
Your heart: including its chambers, the thickness of the heart muscle and the protective sac around it.
Your blood vessels: such as the aorta, the main artery in your chest, along with the large arteries and veins around your heart and lungs.
Your airways: including your windpipe (trachea) and the main tubes that branch off into your lungs.
The centre of your chest: known as the mediastinum, this area holds your lymph nodes, which are part of your immune system, and in younger adults, a small gland called the thymus.
Your bones and chest wall: including your ribs, breastbone, collarbones, upper spine and chest muscles.

What tissues does a chest CT scan show?

A CT scan works by measuring how X-rays pass through different parts of your body. Bone, muscle, fluid and air all look different on the images, which means we can see each one clearly and in lots of detail. This includes:

Your lung tissue:

Including the tiny air sacs (alveoli), the smallest airways and the lining of your airways. CT shows these in fine detail, so our radiologists can spot things like scarring, fluid or areas that need a closer look.

Muscle:

From your heart muscle to the muscles of your chest wall.

Bone, fat and cartilage:

Such as your ribs, the fatty tissue beneath your skin and the cartilage that connects your ribs to your breastbone.

Blood vessels and lymph nodes:

The vessels that carry blood around your chest, and the small glands that are part of your immune system.

What is a chest CT scan looking for?

Lung conditions

Lung cancer: CT can pick up small nodules at an early stage and track any changes over time, so treatment can start as soon as possible if it’s needed.
Infections: such as pneumonia, tuberculosis (TB) and lung abscesses, which are pockets of infection in the lung.
Long-term lung conditions: including COPD, emphysema, bronchiectasis, interstitial lung disease and cystic fibrosis.
Airway and breathing problems: such as mucus blocking the airways, air getting trapped in the lungs or parts of the lung that have collapsed.

Heart and blood vessel conditions

Blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism): clots that block the arteries carrying blood to your lungs.
Aortic aneurysms: a bulge in the wall of the aorta, the main artery in your chest.
Heart problems: such as an enlarged heart, a build-up of plaque in the arteries that supply your heart, or fluid around the heart.

Conditions affecting the lung lining, ribs and chest

Fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion): a build-up of fluid between your lungs and chest wall, which can make it harder to breathe deeply.
A collapsed lung (pneumothorax): when air leaks into the space around your lung and presses on it, making it harder for the lung to fill with air.
Pleurisy: inflammation of the lining around your lungs, and what might be causing it.
Chest injuries: such as broken ribs, internal bleeding or damage to the lungs or diaphragm.
Swollen lymph nodes: enlarged glands in the chest, which can have a number of causes.

Do I need a chest CT scan?

A chest CT scan is usually recommended when you’ve had symptoms that won’t go away and a chest X-ray hasn’t given you a clear answer. You might benefit from one if you have:

A cough that won’t go away, or one with no obvious cause.
Ongoing breathlessness, especially if you get out of breath more easily than usual.
Chest pain or tightness that keeps coming back.
Coughing up blood: even a small amount is worth getting checked by a doctor promptly.
Unexplained weight loss or tiredness, particularly alongside a cough, breathlessness or other chest symptoms.
A fever or chest infections that keep returning, which may need a closer look to rule out things like pneumonia, TB or a lung abscess.
An X-ray that needs a second look: for example, if it showed a shadow, a nodule or fluid that needs more detail.

Not sure if a chest CT is right for you? One of our doctors will always review your symptoms before your scan, so you’ll know you’re having the right test.

Need help urgently? If you have sudden chest pain, sudden or severe breathlessness, a racing heart, you’re coughing up a lot of blood or you’ve been seriously injured, call 999 or go to A&E straight away.

How long do results take?

Results typically take 3-5 working days. Every chest CT scan includes a follow-up call with one of our private GPs. They will explain your report and answer any questions to help you plan your next steps, making sure you leave with clarity, not uncertainty.

Book your chest CT scan

What's the difference between a chest CT scan and a lung CT scan?

Chest CT scans look at the structures of the entire chest (thorax) while a lung CT uses software optimised specifically for lung tissue.

Feature	Chest CT Scan	Lung CT Scan
Anatomical Scope	Everything in your chest, including your lungs, heart, food pipe (oesophagus), blood vessels, lymph nodes and bones.	Your whole chest too, but with settings fine-tuned to get the clearest possible view of your lungs.
Primary Focus	Checking for infections, chest injuries, heart problems, a bulge in the main artery (aortic aneurysm) or trouble swallowing	Looking into breathing problems, a cough that won’t go away, lung nodules, emphysema or lung cancer
Imaging Settings	Standard settings that show different types of tissue clearly	Often uses high-resolution CT (HRCT), which takes much thinner slices to pick up fine detail like tiny air sacs and early scarring

FAQs

Is it serious if I need a chest CT scan?

Needing a CT scan does not automatically mean you have a life-threatening illness, it simply means we need to take a closer look inside your body to get an understanding of what’s going on.

Will I need contrast dye?

Not always. Some scans use a contrast dye to help areas like blood vessels and organs show up more clearly. Before your scan, we’ll check if you're safe to have it by asking about any allergies and your kidney health, and we may arrange a quick blood test if needed.

What does the contrast dye feel like?

As the dye goes in, you may feel a warm sensation spreading through your body, and some people notice a metallic taste in their mouth. It can also feel as though you’ve wet yourself, even though you haven’t. These feelings are completely normal and pass within a minute or two. If you feel itchy, unwell or short of breath at any point, let your radiographer know straight away, and they’ll look after you.

Is there anything you shouldn’t do after a CT scan?

After your CT scan, you are safe to resume your normal diet, work and daily activities. However, if you have received an intravenous contrast dye, be mindful of any delayed reactions such as blurred vision or allergic reactions. Drink plenty of water to help your kidneys flush it out.

Will a chest CT scan show any problems with my lungs?

Yes. Every chest CT gives a detailed view of your lungs, so it can show things like infections, nodules (small spots that are often harmless), emphysema and scarring. Some conditions, like asthma, affect how your lungs work rather than how they look, so they won’t always show on a scan. Either way, your included GP follow-up call will explain what your results mean and what happens next.

Does it hurt, what if I’m claustrophobic?

A chest CT scan doesn’t hurt. If you need contrast dye, you might just feel a small scratch from the needle. If you’re nervous in enclosed spaces, the scanner is a wide, open ring rather than a tunnel, and the scan only takes a few minutes. Our radiographers can see and talk to you throughout, so just let us know if you’re feeling anxious and we’ll take things at your pace.

How much does a chest CT scan cost?

A chest CT scan starts from £430. That includes your scan, a detailed report from a consultant radiologist and a follow-up call with one of our GPs to talk you through your results. We also welcome patients using private medical insurance, so check with your provider before booking.

Who explains my results?

Every chest CT scan includes a follow-up call with one of our GPs, at no extra cost. Once a consultant radiologist has reviewed your scan, your GP will explain your results in plain English, answer your questions and talk you through your next steps. We’ll be in touch to arrange a time that suits you.

Can I have a CT scan if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?

If you’re pregnant or think you might be, please let us know before your scan. CT uses X-rays, so we’ll only go ahead if the benefits clearly outweigh any risk to your baby, and we’ll talk you through your options first.

If you’re breastfeeding, you can usually have a chest CT as normal. Only a tiny amount of contrast dye passes into breast milk, so you can carry on feeding as usual afterwards, but just ask us if you have any questions.

What is a High Resolution CT (HRCT)?

A CT scan builds up a series of images of your body, a bit like a loaf of bread cut into slices. High-resolution CT uses much thinner slices than a standard scan, so it can pick up very fine detail in your lung tissue, such as the tiny air sacs and early signs of scarring. It feels exactly the same as a standard chest CT, and your radiologist will decide whether it’s right for you based on what your doctor needs to know.

How much radiation is involved?

A chest CT uses X-rays, so it does involve a small amount of radiation. We always keep the dose as low as possible while still getting clear, accurate images, and every scan is checked by our team beforehand to make sure the benefits of getting answers outweigh any risk. For most people, that risk is very small. If you have any concerns, just ask and we’ll be happy to talk them through with you.

What happens during a chest CT scan?

When you arrive, one of our radiographers will check a few safety details with you and answer any questions. You may need to change into a gown and remove anything metal, such as jewellery or a bra with an underwire.

You’ll then lie on your back on a padded table, usually with your arms resting above your head. If you need contrast dye, we’ll place a small needle in your arm. The table moves slowly through the scanner, a wide, open ring, and your radiographer will ask you to hold your breath for a few seconds while the images are taken.

The scan itself only takes a few minutes, and the whole appointment usually takes around 10-20 minutes. Afterwards, you can go straight home and carry on with your day as normal.