Procedure of CT Abdomen & Pelvis

• In the case of CT abdomen and pelvis patient lies on a table that moves inside the centre hole of the CT Scan machine. In most cases, the patient lies on his back with arms raised above his head.
• When a patient is inside the scan machine, the scan machine X-Ray beam rotates around the belly area of the patient.
• A computer software develops separate images of the patient abdomen area. These are known as the slices. These pictures are being stored on a computer. Then it’s developed on a monitor. These high-quality images are printed on film. 3 D dimensional images of the abdomen area are developed.
• During the scan of the belly patient must still otherwise it will not create good images .during the abdomen scan patient must be told to hold breath for some time for good quality images.
• The abdomen and pelvis scan takes near about 30 minutes.

Preparation for the CT Abdomen Pelvis

Sometimes patients have to give some liquid (dye) for the better image quality of the body, which is known as the contrast. Contrast helps to clear abdomen areas to show up the images. 

Contrast can be passed through the patient’s body in various ways.

• Generally, Contrast is given through a vein (IV) inpatient’s hand. If contrast is used in a patient, then it’s advised to the patient not to eat anything for 4 hours before the ct scan test.
• Another way of giving contrast is oral. A patient has to drink the contrast before the scan. Contrast has a taste like chalk, although. The contrast will pass through the patient’s body and the contrast is harmless.

Before taking the contrast, a patient must tell previous health history to the doctors. Sometimes contrast can worsen the patient’s body function.

A patient has to take off his jewelry during the scan and the patient has to wear a gown during the scan.

If a patient has given contrast through a vein (IV), a patient may sometimes have

• Burning sensation
• Chalk like taste in the mouth
• Heat sensation in the body

Findings of CT Abdomen Test

This test is performed to look inside your abdomen structure.

• For abdominal pain or swelling
• For of abnormal blood test results which shows liver or kidney problems
• Hernia
• Masses and tumors, including cancer
• Infections or injury
• Kidney stones
• Appendicitis

Cancer of the renal pelvis or ureter

• Colon cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Pancreatic cancer