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Imaging · London

Private brain CT in London, reported by a consultant neuroradiologist.

A fast, high-resolution scan reported by a specialist neuroradiologist - same-day for most patients, with a clear onward pathway if anything needs it.

A stethoscope on a clinical desk

Indicative pricing

What a private brain CT costs in London.

Indicative ranges across UK private providers.

In short

£280–£500, with a same-day report.

Scan type Indicative range
Non-contrast brain CT £280–£500
Brain CT + contrast £450–£800
CT angiogram (brain vessels) £600–£1,100
CT venogram £600–£1,100
Sinuses + facial bones CT £350–£650
Urgent same-day brain CT £600–£1,200

Prices vary by clinic, time of day and whether iodinated contrast is used. Urgent same-day slots carry a small premium.

The problem

A brain scan you can act on today.

A generalist report on a brain CT isn’t enough. A brain CT is best reported by a consultant neuroradiologist, same-day where possible, with a clear next step if anything needs one.

  • CT or MRI?

    Which answers your question depends on what is being looked for - MRI is often more sensitive for subtle brain pathology.

  • Need it reported today?

    Some units offer same-day neuroradiologist reporting for non-contrast brain CT.

  • Something abnormal?

    A clear onward pathway to MRI or neurology.

What it shows

What a brain CT is genuinely best at.

Brain CT earns its place for speed and for acute bleeding, trauma, sinus disease and stroke work-up.

  • Suspected stroke work-up

    First-line imaging to distinguish bleed from ischaemia and guide urgent care.

  • Sudden severe headache

    Rapid look for subarachnoid haemorrhage and other acute intracranial causes.

  • Head trauma

    The definitive first test after significant head injury.

  • Brain tumour follow-up

    Interval imaging where MRI is unavailable or unsuitable.

  • Haemorrhage

    Highly sensitive for acute intracranial bleeding.

  • Hydrocephalus

    Assesses ventricular size and shunt position.

  • Sinus disease

    Detailed view of the sinuses and facial bones.

  • Red flag: A&E first

    Worst-headache-ever or new focal neurology - go straight to A&E, don’t wait for a private scan.

Brain CT types

Not all brain CT scans are the same.

What each option on your referral is actually for.

  • Non-contrast brain CT

    The standard first-line brain CT - fast and highly sensitive for acute bleeding.

  • Brain CT + contrast

    Iodinated contrast to highlight vascular structures, tumours and inflammation.

  • CT angiogram (CTA)

    Detailed imaging of the brain’s arteries - aneurysm, dissection, stenosis.

  • CT venogram (CTV)

    Focused on the intracranial venous sinuses - for suspected venous sinus thrombosis.

  • Sinus / facial-bone CT

    High-resolution bony detail for sinus disease, trauma and pre-operative planning.

  • Post-op CT

    Assessment after neurosurgery - bleeding, shunt position, post-operative change.

  • Trauma CT protocol

    Rapid protocol after significant head injury, following NICE guidance.

  • Urgent same-day CT

    A half-day slot for cases that need answering the same day.

Safety and eligibility

Radiation, contrast, pregnancy - the honest headlines.

The dose from a brain CT is small but real. The scan should be justified, low-dose protocols used, and contrast safety checked before you arrive.

  • Radiation dose

    CT uses ionising radiation. The dose is small but real, and brain CT should only be done when the benefit clearly outweighs it.

  • Pregnancy

    MRI is preferred where possible.

  • Kidney function and contrast

    Iodinated contrast can be nephrotoxic - a recent eGFR is required if contrast is planned.

  • Contrast allergy screening

    Previous reactions to iodinated contrast are screened for before booking.

  • Claustrophobia

    Rarely an issue on CT - the scanner is an open, short bore rather than a tunnel.

  • Fasting

    Only required if iodinated contrast is planned. Otherwise, eat and drink as normal.

  • Limits of CT

    A normal brain CT does not exclude small lesions - MRI is more sensitive for subtle brain pathology.

  • Bring prior imaging

    Always share prior brain imaging so the neuroradiologist can compare and report accurately.

Reading your report

A neuroradiology report can look intimidating. It isn’t.

Every brain CT report keeps to the same four parts.

A consultant neuroradiologist reviewing brain CT images on a clinical workstation in Central London

A quiet reminder

The report is written for your doctor, not for you - and that’s normal.

If anything in the report is unclear, ask your specialist or GP to talk you through it at your follow-up.

  1. 01 Header

    Your details and the indication

    Your details, the region scanned, and the clinical indication behind the referral.

  2. 02 Technique

    Protocol and contrast used

    The brain-CT protocol applied, whether iodinated contrast was given, and the dose used.

  3. 03 Findings

    Structured neuroradiology report

    A structured, region-by-region description from the consultant neuroradiologist, including any incidental findings.

  4. 04 Impression

    Read this first

    The bottom line - normal, findings, and any recommended follow-up. Your specialist discusses it in context.

Recognised by major UK insurers

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Frequently asked

Common questions about brain CT.

Quick answers on CT vs MRI, contrast, pregnancy, cost, referrals and results.

  • CT or MRI for the brain?

    CT is faster and highly sensitive for acute bleeding, bone detail and sinus disease. MRI is more sensitive for subtle brain pathology - small strokes, tumours, inflammation and demyelination. Your neuroradiologist will tell you honestly which fits your question.

  • When is contrast needed?

    Non-contrast CT is the standard first-line brain scan. Contrast is added when the question involves tumour, infection, vascular abnormality or inflammation - and always requires a recent eGFR.

  • Can I have a brain CT if I’m pregnant?

    Where possible, MRI is preferred in pregnancy because it avoids ionising radiation. If brain CT is genuinely necessary, it can be done safely with appropriate shielding - the trade-off should be discussed with you.

  • What about claustrophobia?

    CT is rarely a problem for claustrophobia - the scanner is an open, short bore ring, not a long tunnel, and the scan itself takes only minutes.

  • How much does a private brain CT cost in London?

    Contrast, CT angiogram, CT venogram and urgent same-day slots cost more.

  • Do I need a referral?

    Brain CT is normally arranged with a referral because the dose means it should be clinically justified.

  • How much radiation does a brain CT involve?

    A brain CT delivers a small but real dose of ionising radiation - significantly less than a CT of the chest or abdomen. Modern low-dose protocols keep this to a minimum, and brain CT should only be done when clinically justified.

  • How quickly will I get results?

    CT angiogram and CT venogram typically take 24–48 hours. Urgent cases can be reported within hours.

  • When will I need a follow-up MRI?

    When brain CT is normal but symptoms persist, or when the finding needs finer soft-tissue detail - stroke, tumour, MS, inflammation - MRI is often the next step. Your neuroradiologist advises on the report itself.

  • When should I see a GP urgently instead?

    If you have a sudden severe headache (“worst ever”), new focal neurology, collapse, seizure or head injury with reduced consciousness, go straight to A&E - don’t wait to book a private scan.

Related tests

Looking for a different test?

In practice, in London

What brain CT looks like on the ground in London

With brain CT, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it - not whether the scan is available. On the NHS, brain CT typically sits behind a triage step and a wait that can stretch from a few weeks into months. In London’s private sector, the same appointment often lands within days. That speed matters when symptoms are disrupting work, sleep, or a plan you’d already committed to - and it is the most common reason people look at private options.

A typical private booking for brain CT in London starts with a consultant conversation - sometimes in person on Harley Street or Marylebone, sometimes on video if that suits better. Any imaging or diagnostics happen at a nearby CQC-registered facility, and reports usually land within 24 to 72 hours. The whole loop, from first call to written report, is often done inside a fortnight. For brain CT specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.

Fit matters more than people expect. For brain CT, the right consultant depends on what you actually need - a second opinion, a definitive diagnosis, a bridge into treatment, or reassurance that nothing’s being missed. If a test isn’t the right next step, it is worth establishing that before you book anything.