CT Scan of the Abdomen (Abdominal CT)

(Abdominal CT)

Definition

A CT scan is an x-ray that uses a computer to make cross-sectional images of the abdomen.

CT Scan at Kidneys

kidney CT scan

Parts of the Body Involved

Abdomen

Reasons for Procedure

A CT scan is done to study the organs and vascular system within the abdomen for signs of injuries, tumors, or other disease.

Your doctor may recommend an abdominal CT if you have the following symptoms:

Pain
Bowel changes
Blood in the urine or stool
Urinary difficulties
Jaundice [1]
Weight loss
Unexplained fever
Abdominal injury
Fluid accumulation in the abdomen

Many conditions and diseases can be diagnosed with an abdominal CT. These include:

Tumors and cysts
Spread of cancer [2] from another location (metastases)
Aortic aneurysm [3]
Gallbladder disease, including gallstones [4]
Pancreatitis [5]
Abscess
Kidney stones [6]
Kidney disease
Bleeding in the abdomen
Liver disease
Muscle and bone [7] disorders

Risk Factors for Complications During the Procedure

If you are given a contrast dye and have kidney [8] problems, the dye can lead to the worsening of your renal or kidney [8] function. Previous allergic or anaphylactic response to contrast dye is another complication.

What to Expect

Prior to Procedure

Depending on which tissue your doctor wants to examine, you may be given a contrast dye. If this is the case, do not eat or drink anything for four hours before your exam.

You'll remove your clothes and put on a hospital gown. You'll also need to remove all metal-containing items, including jewelry and watches.

During Procedure

If a contrast dye is needed, it is either injected into a vein, or you will drink it in the form of a barium solution. You'll be positioned on a special movable table, called a gantry, part-way inside the CT scanner, which is usually donut-shaped.

Anesthesia

None

Description of the Procedure

The gantry advances you very slowly through the CT scanner. You'll need to be very still during the entire test. As the scanner takes pictures, you'll hear some humming and clicking. The technician will ask you to hold your breath at certain points, so that the picture is not blurred by movement. You are able to talk to the technician and/or doctor during the exam, so if you are in pain [9], frightened, or concerned in any way, you can communicate this immediately.

After Procedure

If you've received contrast dye, drink extra fluids to more quickly flush it out of your body.

How Long Will It Take?

It may take 10-60 minutes, depending on how much area must be scanned and how much detail is required.

Will It Hurt?

The scan itself will not hurt, although you may feel restless. When you receive an injection of contrast dye, you may feel flushed, and you may notice a salty or metallic taste in your mouth. Some people experience brief nausea as the dye circulates.

Possible Complications

Allergic or anaphylactic response to contrast dye

Average Hospital Stay

None

Postoperative Care

None

Outcome

Your doctor should be able to spot any abnormalities in the organs and/or tissues within your abdomen.

Call Your Doctor If Any of the Following Occurs

You have had contrast dye and notice:

Hives [10]
Itching
Nausea
Swollen, itchy eyes [11]
Tightness of throat
Difficulty breathing

RESOURCES:

RadiologyInfo
Radiological Society of North America
http://www.radiologyinfo.org [12]

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists
http://www.camrt.ca [13]

RadiologyInfo
Radiological Society of North America
http://www.radiologyinfo.org [12]

References:

CT-scan. Mayo Clinic website. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ct-scan/FL00065 [14] . Accessed October 15, 2007.

Rydberg, J, Buckwalter KA, Caldemeyer KS, et al. Multisection CT: scanning techniques and clinical applications. Radiographics . 2000; 20:1787.

Yale University School of Medicine Patient's Guide to Medical Tests . Houghton Mifflin; 1997.

Last reviewed October 2007 by Marcin Chwistek, MD [15]

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical [16] advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health [17] provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical [16] condition.