CT of abdominal and pelvic organs

INDICATIONS FOR CT SCAN OF THE ABDOMEN WITH OR WITHOUT CONTRAST?

CT scans of the abdomen and pelvic organs are typically used to help diagnose the cause of pain, detect diseases of internal organs, small and large intestines, including:

• Inflammatory processes (pancreatitis, cirrhosis, hepatitis, and liver steatosis;
• Intestinal diseases, including non-specific ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease;
• Oncological diseases (colon cancer, liver, kidney, pancreas, bladder cancer, enlarged lymph nodes, metastases, as well as lymphoma);
• Presence of stones (calculi) in the kidneys, ureters, and bladder;
• Infectious diseases (appendicitis, diverticulitis, pyelonephritis, abscesses);
• Aneurysms of the abdominal aorta and other vascular diseases like thrombosis and anomalous narrowing (vascular stenosis).

CT of the abdomen and pelvis is also performed to detect damage to the liver, spleen, kidneys, and other internal organs in cases of abdominal trauma. It is used for navigation purposes during targeted biopsies and other procedures, such as abscess drainage and minimally invasive tumor treatments.

This type of CT is also conducted before complex surgeries to determine a minimally traumatic and effective treatment plan. Sometimes it's performed post-operation to assess the outcomes. CT of the abdomen and pelvis is used for planning and proper execution of radiation therapy for tumors, as well as monitoring the response to chemotherapy.

It also detects:

• The structure of parenchymal organs (organs composed of solid tissue), their pathological changes;
• Normal or complicated patency of tubular and hollow organs;
• Foreign objects;
• Blood disorders;
• Congenital anomalies;
• Echinococcosis.

WHAT ARE THE CONTRAINDICATIONS FOR ABDOMINAL AND PELVIC CT?

Contraindications for CT of abdominal organs:

• CT is an absolute contraindication for pregnant women.
• Patients with acute kidney inflammation, severe diabetes, serious heart, liver, or blood diseases should consult with a doctor beforehand.
• CT is not performed on patients with allergies to iodine or thyroid diseases.
• It's important to ensure immobility during the examination, so CT is not recommended for patients with hyperkinesis or severe pain.
• Women are also advised not to breastfeed for 24 hours after a CT scan.

PREPARATION FOR CT SCAN OF THE ABDOMEN AND PELVIS

Preparation for CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis requires:

1. You must inform your doctor about all medications you are taking, any allergic reactions you've had, and discuss all recent and chronic illnesses.
2. From the evening before the CT scan, you should follow dietary restrictions, avoiding foods that cause gas and alcohol. The scan is done on an empty stomach since digestion can distort the results.
3. Do not bring unnecessary metal jewelry. For certain types of scans, you might be asked to remove hearing aids and removable dental prostheses.
4. It's better to come in comfortable, loose clothing. For some scans, you might be asked to remove clothing from certain parts of your body.
5. In the case of a scan with a contrast agent, a venous catheter is inserted into the patient's elbow vein for painless administration of the contrast.

HOW DOES THE CT SCAN OF THE PELVIS AND ABDOMEN PROCEED AT THE NOVO MEDICAL CENTER?

CT of the abdominal and pelvic organs in Lviv goes like this:

1. The doctor helps the patient position themselves on the movable table of the CT scanner, which then moves into the scanner's aperture.
2. During the scan, the patient remains in the room alone. The qualified staff at the NOVO Medical Center monitors the entire process through glass. If discomfort arises, the patient can communicate with the doctor via the built-in communication system.
3. During the operation of the CT scanner, the patient might hear only a slight buzzing and light clicking.
4. After the scan is completed, the patient returns to their normal routine.
5. After the scan, the intravenous catheter is removed. To speed up the elimination of the contrast agent from the body, it's advisable to drink plenty of fluids.