What Is This Scan?

An Abdomen & Pelvis CT uses X-rays and advanced computer processing to produce detailed images of the organs, blood vessels and other structures within the abdomen and pelvis.

Depending on your symptoms and your doctor's request, the scan may assess the:

• Liver and gallbladder

Pancreas

• Spleen
• Adrenal glands
• Kidneys and urinary tract
• Stomach and bowel
• Appendix
• Bladder
• Prostate
• Uterus and ovaries
• Lymph nodes
• Abdominal and pelvic blood vessels
• Abdominal wall and surrounding soft tissues

CT is particularly useful because it allows many organs to be assessed during a single examination.

At IMPACT Radiology, we can tailor the CT examination and contrast timing to the specific organ or condition being investigated.

Conditions We Commonly Assess

Liver & Gallbladder

• Liver tumours and metastases
• Liver cysts
• Cirrhosis and complications of chronic liver disease
• Fatty liver disease
• Liver abscesses and infections
• Gallbladder inflammation and complications
• Biliary obstruction
• Traumatic liver injury

Pancreas

• Pancreatitis
• Complications of pancreatitis
• Pancreatic tumours
• Pancreatic cysts
• Pancreatic duct abnormalities
• Peripancreatic inflammation and fluid collections

Kidneys, Adrenal Glands & Urinary Tract

• Kidney stones
• Renal masses and tumours
• Renal cysts
• Kidney infections
• Urinary obstruction and hydronephrosis
• Ureteric abnormalities
• Adrenal nodules and masses
• Bladder abnormalities and tumours

Stomach & Bowel

• Appendicitis
• Diverticulitis
• Bowel obstruction
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Colitis
• Bowel perforation
• Bowel cancer
• Abdominal collections and abscesses
• Hernias
• Complications following abdominal surgery

Pelvis

• Pelvic masses
• Bladder abnormalities
• Prostate abnormalities
• Uterine and ovarian masses
• Pelvic inflammatory and infective conditions
• Pelvic collections and abscesses
• Post-operative complications

Why Might My Doctor Request This Scan?

• Abdominal or pelvic pain
• Unexplained weight loss
• Abdominal swelling or bloating
• Nausea or vomiting
• Change in bowel habits
• Blood in the stool
• Blood in the urine
• Flank or kidney pain
• Suspected kidney stones
• Fever or suspected abdominal infection
• Suspected appendicitis or diverticulitis
• Bowel symptoms or suspected obstruction
• Abnormal blood tests
• A suspected abdominal or pelvic mass
• Known or suspected cancer
• Unexplained symptoms requiring further investigation

CT may also be performed for cancer staging, treatment planning, follow-up of a known condition or assessment following surgery.

Preparation

Preparation depends on the type of CT examination being performed.

• Some examinations require no special preparation.

You may be asked to fast for several hours before certain contrast-enhanced examinations.

Intravenous contrast is often administered to improve assessment of the abdominal and pelvic organs.

Oral contrast may occasionally be used when more detailed assessment of the stomach or bowel is required.

Please inform our staff if you have previously had a reaction to CT contrast.

Please let us know if you have significant kidney disease or impaired kidney function.

Different conditions require different CT techniques. You will be provided with specific preparation instructions for your examination.

What Happens During the Scan?

You will lie comfortably on the CT table, usually on your back.

If intravenous contrast is required, a small cannula will be placed into a vein, usually in your arm.When contrast is injected, you may briefly experience a warm sensation or metallic taste. This is common and usually passes quickly.

You will be asked to hold your breath briefly while images are obtained through the abdomen and pelvis.Depending on the condition being investigated, images may be acquired before contrast and/or at specific times following contrast injection.Most Abdomen & Pelvis CT examinations are completed within 10–15 minutes.