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Definition
An abdominal CT scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the belly area. CT stands for computed tomography.
How the test is performed
You will be asked to lie on a narrow table that slides into the center of the CT scanner. Usually, you will lie on your back with your arms raised above the head.
Once inside the scanner, the machine's x-ray beam rotates around you. Small detectors inside the scanner measure the amount of x-rays that make it through the abdomen. A computer takes this information and creates several individual images, called slices.
You must be still during the exam, because movement causes blurred images. You may be told to hold your breath for short periods of time.
The actual scan time only takes a few minutes, although the entire procedure usually takes much longer.
How to prepare for the test
Tell the health care provider if you have any allergies or have had difficulty with previous CT scans.
Since x-rays have difficulty passing through metal, you will be asked to remove jewelry and wear a hospital gown during the study.
How the test will feel
The x-rays are painless. Some people may have discomfort from lying on the hard table.
Why the test is performed
An abdominal CT rapidly creates detailed pictures of the belly area. The test may be used to:
- Study blood vessels
- Identify masses and tumors, including cancer
- Look for infections, kidney stones, or appendicitis
What abnormal results mean
The CT scan may show the following:
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm
- Abscesses
- Acute bilateral obstructive uropathy
- Acute cholecystitis
- Acute unilateral obstructive uropathy
- Addison's disease
- Amebic liver abscess
- Appendicitis
- Bilateral hydronephrosis
- Bowel wall thickening
- Carcinoma of the renal pelvis or ureter
- Cholangiocarcinoma
- Choledocholithiasis
- Cholelithiasis
- Chronic bilateral obstructive uropathy
- Chronic cholecystitis
- Chronic pancreatitis
- Chronic unilateral obstructive uropathy
- Complicated UTI (pyelonephritis)
- Cystinuria
- Cysts
- Echinococcus
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Enlarged organs
- Gastrointestinal or bowel obstruction
- Glucagonoma
- Hairy cell leukemia
- Hepatocellular carcinoma
- Histoplasmosis; disseminated
- Hodgkin's lymphoma
- Islet of Langerhans' tumor
- Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) II
- Nephrocalcinosis
- Nephrolithiasis
- Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
- Ovarian cancer
- Pancreatic abscess
- Pancreatic carcinoma
- Pancreatic pseudocyst
- Pancreatitis
- Pheochromocytoma
- Primary hyperaldosteronism
- Pyelonephritis - acute
- Pyogenic liver abscess
- Renal cell carcinoma
- Retroperitoneal fibrosis
- Sclerosing cholangitis
- Stones (bladder, kidney, liver, gall bladder)
- Testicular cancer
- Tumors
- Unilateral hydronephrosis
- Ureterocele
- Wilms' tumor
- Wilson's disease
- Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
What the risks are
An abdominal CT scan is usually not recommended for pregnant women, because it may harm the unborn child. Women who are or may be pregnant should speak with their health care provider to determine if ultrasound can be used instead.
CT scans and other x-rays are strictly monitored and controlled to make sure they use the least amount of radiation. CT scans do create low levels of ionizing radiation, which has the potential to cause cancer and other defects. However, the risk associated with any individual scan is small. The risk increases as numerous additional studies are performed.
Special considerations
A CT scan provides a better picture of internal organs than traditional x-rays. The benefits of an abdominal CT scan usually far outweigh the risks of radiation exposure. |
