If you are suffering from chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps, or unexplained facial pain, your doctor has likely recommended a CT PNS (Computed Tomography of Paranasal Sinuses) . However, the biggest hurdle patients face is the waiting period. Most diagnostic centers have a backlog of days.
So, is a Same Day CT PNS with Contrast actually available?
Yes. At Diagnopein Pune, we specialize in emergency and walk-in radiology services. We understand that when you are in pain, waiting a week is not an option. Here is everything you need to know about the procedure, cost, comfort, and why Diagnopein is your best choice.
A CT PNS without contrast is excellent for viewing bone structures and identifying blockages. However, when contrast (iodine-based dye) is introduced, the diagnostic yield increases exponentially.
Detection of Inflammatory Complications: Chronic sinusitis can sometimes erode bone or spread intra-cranially. Contrast highlights meningeal enhancement or epidural abscesses instantly.
Differentiating Polyps from Tumours: Benign nasal polyps and malignant neoplasms often look similar on a non-contrast scan. Vascular enhancement patterns seen with contrast help the radiologist differentiate accurately.
Mapping Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma (JNA): For young male patients presenting with recurrent epistaxis, a contrast CT is the gold standard for surgical mapping.
Fungal Sinusitis Evaluation: In immunocompromised patients, contrast helps delineate necrotic tissue from viable mucosa—critical for planning debridement surgery.
At Diagnopein Pune, we do not administer contrast arbitrarily. A board-certified radiologist evaluates the requisition and ensures that the contrast study is medically indicated, thereby avoiding unnecessary radiation or chemical exposure.
Healthcare expenses in Pune have risen sharply, particularly in premium diagnostic chains. However, Diagnopein remains committed to the principle that emergency care should not equal exorbitant pricing.
Why does contrast cost more?
Contrast Media Cost: We use non-ionic, low-osmolar iodinated contrast. It is significantly safer (reduces nephrotoxicity and allergic reactions) but more expensive than older ionic variants.
Dual-Phase Scanning: Contrast studies often require non-contrast + post-contrast acquisition. This doubles the radiologist's interpretation time.
IV Cannulation & Safety Protocols: A qualified nurse or technician performs sterile cannulation, and patients are monitored post-scan for 15–20 minutes—a service included in your cost.
The phrase "CT scan with contrast" often evokes anxiety. Patients fear three things: pain during injection, claustrophobia, and allergic reactions. At Diagnopein Pune, we have systematically addressed each concern.
1. Warm Contrast Administration:
Contrast agents are typically stored at room temperature. When injected rapidly, cold fluid can cause a sensation of "cold spreading" or even shivering. We pre-warm our contrast to body temperature, virtually eliminating this discomfort.
2. Wide-Bore Design:
Unlike closed MRI systems, our CT scanner features a wide-bore gantry. This reduces the sensation of entrapment, making the scan accessible even for patients with mild claustrophobia or larger body habitus.
3. Rapid Acquisition:
The actual scanning time for a PNS protocol is under 20 seconds. Breath-hold requirements are minimal. Most patients find the procedure surprisingly quick and tolerable.
4. Allergy Shield Protocol:
We screen every patient for:
History of prior contrast reaction
Asthma or atopy
Renal dysfunction (elevated serum creatinine)
Metformin use (held for 48 hours post-contrast if eGFR is low)
Patients frequently confuse these two modalities. Here is a detailed CT scan vs MRI comparison specifically tailored for sinus pathology:
When you search for "CT scans near me," you are looking for more than geographic proximity. You want:
Immediate availability
Accurate reporting
Affordable pricing
Compassionate staff
Diagnopein Pune ticks every box.
This is one of the most searched questions in medical diagnostics. Let us break it down without the jargon.
Technology: X-rays.
Best Analogy: Slicing a loaf of bread. You see the internal structure clearly—crust (bone), air pockets (sinuses), and dense fillings (polyps/fluid).
Speed: Extremely fast. Ideal for emergencies.
Limitation: Lower soft tissue contrast than MRI.
Technology: Strong magnetic field + radio waves.
Best Analogy: Analysing the moisture content and texture of the dough. It differentiates between water, pus, blood, and tumour.
Speed: Slow. Requires patient to remain perfectly still.
Limitation: Expensive, loud, and unsuitable for metal implants.
In a city like Pune, flooded with diagnostic centres, multispeciality hospitals, and standalone imaging labs, patients often face a paradox of choice. While many centres promise "quality care," the reality is often long waiting periods, hidden costs, inexperienced technicians, and delayed reports that stretch into days. At Diagnopein, we identified these gaps years ago and built our entire workflow around solving them. When you choose Diagnopein for your same-day CT PNS with contrast, you are not just booking a scan; you are opting for a system designed with diagnostic urgency, clinical accuracy, and human compassion at its core. First and foremost, we are the only major diagnostic centre in Pune that guarantees walk-in, same-day CT PNS with contrast without requiring an appointment or a referral markup. Whether you walk in at 8:00 AM or 7:00 PM, our CT suite is fully operational, staffed by experienced radiographers and led by an on-site MD Radiologist who protocols every scan personally. This is a significant differentiator: most centres employ technicians who simply capture images and send them to a remote radiologist for reporting, leading to generic observations and missed findings. At Diagnopein, our radiologist is physically present during contrast administration, monitors the dynamic acquisition in real time, and correlates imaging findings with your clinical history immediately. This results in a report that is not only faster—delivered via WhatsApp within 30 minutes—but also significantly more accurate and personalized. Secondly, we have democratized pricing. A contrast-enhanced CT PNS at a corporate hospital in Pune can cost anywhere between ?5,500 and ?7,500, often excluding the radiologist consultation fee or the CD/DVD charge. At Diagnopein, we offer the same 128-slice, low-radiation technology with non-ionic, low-osmolar contrast media for a flat, transparent rate of ?3,200 to ?3,800—no hidden taxes, no surprise fees, and no upselling. We believe that emergency care should not be a financial burden, and our pricing reflects that philosophy. Thirdly, we have redefined patient comfort. We understand that the phrase "CT scan with contrast" triggers anxiety in many patients. To combat this, we pre-warm our contrast media to body temperature, eliminating the cold sensation that often causes shivering or vasovagal reactions. Our wide-bore gantry design reduces claustrophobia, and our staff is trained to communicate every step of the procedure in plain language, especially for elderly patients or those with language barriers. We also follow a stringent Allergy Shield Protocol—every patient is screened for renal function, contrast allergy history, and metformin use before contrast administration. For high-risk patients, we offer non-iodinated alternatives or pre-medication protocols, ensuring safety without compromising diagnostic yield. Additionally, Diagnopein is not just a scanning centre; it is a clinical partner. Our radiologists do not work in isolation. We maintain active channels of communication with ENT surgeons, neurologists, and general physicians across Pune. If a finding requires immediate surgical attention, we do not just type it in a report; we call the referring doctor directly. If a patient presents with symptoms that warrant MRI instead of CT, we guide them appropriately rather than performing an unnecessary contrast study. This ethical approach has made us the preferred diagnostic partner for leading ENT clinics in Pune. Furthermore, we have eliminated the logistical hassles that plague patients post-scan. Your images are provided on a high-speed USB drive or CD, compatible with all modern DICOM viewers. Preliminary reports are digitally delivered, but if you need a physical copy or a second opinion, our front desk coordinates it seamlessly. We are open on weekends and public holidays, because sinusitis and facial trauma do not follow a Monday-to-Friday schedule. Lastly, what truly sets Diagnopein apart is our unwavering focus on the human element. In an era of corporate medicine where patients are reduced to queue numbers, we treat every individual with dignity. From the compassionate technician who holds the hand of a frightened child during cannulation to the radiologist who takes five extra minutes to explain the images to a worried family member, Diagnopein is built on the belief that diagnostic excellence must be matched by emotional intelligence. So, why choose Diagnopein? Because we deliver what others merely promise: instant availability, unparalleled accuracy, genuine affordability, and a patient-first culture that puts your health ahead of our revenue. When you need a same-day CT PNS with contrast in Pune, there is no better, faster, or safer choice than Diagnopein.
To answer the central question clearly:
Is Same Day CT PNS with Contrast available in Pune?
Yes. Only at centres that prioritize patients over paperwork. Diagnopein Pune is one such centre.
We offer:
Walk-in, same-day contrast scans
On-site radiologist reporting
Allergy-safe contrast protocols
Sinus pain can be debilitating. It affects sleep, productivity, and overall quality of life. Why wait a week for a diagnosis that can be obtained in 30 seconds?