Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Do They Show?What Don’t They Show?How They WorkUnderstanding the ResultsRadiation RiskRisks of CT With Contrast
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Do They Show?
What Don’t They Show?
How They Work
Understanding the Results
Radiation Risk
Risks of CT With Contrast
Healthcare providers use abdominalcomputed tomography (CT)scans to diagnose various diseases and conditions, including cancer, blood clots, kidney or bladder stones, ulcerative colitis, and certain infections.Abdominal CT scans are also used after traumatic injuries to visualize abdominal organs, with or without contrast dye.
This article discusses the various uses for abdominal CT scans, what to expect when you get one, and how to interpret the results.
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What Do Abdominal CT Scans Show?
Abdominal CT scans are a specialized imaging study used to evaluate multiple diseases and conditions, including:
Advanced trained healthcare providers also use abdominal CT scans to perform specific specialized procedures, including:
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What Abdominal CT Scans Don’t Show
Abdominal CT scans are not always the optimal imaging choice. A healthcare provider should do a thorough physical examination and take a comprehensive medical history to determine if an abdominal CT scan is the appropriate imaging choice.
Some examples of conditions in which an abdominal CT scan would not be used include:
How an Abdominal CT Scan Works
After obtaining a comprehensive medical history and performing a physical assessment, a healthcare provider will determine whether you need an abdominal CT scan. Once a provider orders your abdominal CT scan, the provider’s office will schedule the scan appointment.
Before the Scan
Before your abdominal CT scan, the provider’s office will give you with specific instructions. They’ll likely advise you to avoid eating or drinking before the exam. You’ll also be instructed to wear loose, comfortable clothing and leave your jewelry at home. If the provider has ordered an oral contact, you might be asked to arrive a couple of hours before the exam.
Day of the Scan
On the scan day, you’ll arrive at the provider’s office and change into a hospital gown. The technologist will escort you to the CT table. They will secure you into position—usually on your back—with pillows or straps to ensure you are positioned for optimal imaging.
If you are having an abdominal CT scan with contrast, the technologist will administer it. The CT table will move back and forth to help identify the specific area to focus on and move slower once the CT scan starts. The total time for most CT scans is less than 10 minutes.
Once the CT scan is over, the technologist will have you remain in position. At the same time, the radiologist quickly reviews the images to ensure they are of appropriate quality for the viewing examination.
With Contrast Dye
Contrast dye is often used with abdominal CT scans to help differentiate organs from tumors or lesions. Contrast dye is also useful in detecting injury to blood vessels. Types of abdominal CT scans that would use contrast include those evaluating the following:
Types of Contrast With Abdominal CT ScansHealthcare providers use different types of contrast in abdominal CT scans:Intravenous (IV) contrast: IV contrast is helpful with identifying solid abdominal organs, like the pancreas, as well as identifying the blood vessels. IV contrast is often administered alone without requiring oral or rectal contrast.Oral contrast:Oral contrast helps evaluate the intestines to identify diseases such as appendicitis or traumatic injury.Rectal contrast: Rectal contrast is rarely used. It is mainly needed when there is suspected penetrating injury to the intestines.Intrathecal contrast: Intrathecal contrast is the contrast administered into the fluid sac around the spine using fluoroscopy during evaluations for spinal diseases, such as cancer, or to identify a cerebrospinal fluid leak.
Types of Contrast With Abdominal CT Scans
Healthcare providers use different types of contrast in abdominal CT scans:Intravenous (IV) contrast: IV contrast is helpful with identifying solid abdominal organs, like the pancreas, as well as identifying the blood vessels. IV contrast is often administered alone without requiring oral or rectal contrast.Oral contrast:Oral contrast helps evaluate the intestines to identify diseases such as appendicitis or traumatic injury.Rectal contrast: Rectal contrast is rarely used. It is mainly needed when there is suspected penetrating injury to the intestines.Intrathecal contrast: Intrathecal contrast is the contrast administered into the fluid sac around the spine using fluoroscopy during evaluations for spinal diseases, such as cancer, or to identify a cerebrospinal fluid leak.
Healthcare providers use different types of contrast in abdominal CT scans:
Without Contrast Dye
Abdominal CT scans can be done without contrast dye. Examples of abdominal CT scans that do not require contrast include those looking for the following:
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Understanding Abdominal CT Scan Results
Abdominal CT scans are complex imaging studies. A specially trained healthcare provider, aradiologist, supervises the process and reviews and interprets the images.After completing the interpretation, the radiologist will send an official report to your healthcare provider to review the results and work with you to develop a collaborative treatment plan.
Abdominal CT Scan Radiation Risk
Abdominal CT scans are an advanced imaging study that uses ionizing radiation.Ionizing radiation has been associated with increased cancer risk. Although the ionizing radiation from an abdominal CT scan is higher than plain film X-ray studies, such as a chest X-ray, the increased cancer risk is relatively small.
To protect from unnecessary radiation exposure, the CT scan technologist will minimize radiation exposure.CT scans generally take less than 10 minutes which also helps reduce radiation exposure.
Who Should Not Get a CT Scan?According to the American College of Radiology (ACR), there is no absolute contraindication regarding (reason not to get) abdominal or pelvic CT scans.Healthcare providers assess the risks and benefits of CT scans before ordering one for people in their care. They also take precautions to minimize risk for people in high-risk groups, such as those with chronic kidney disease, pregnancy, or a known contrast dye allergy.
Who Should Not Get a CT Scan?
According to the American College of Radiology (ACR), there is no absolute contraindication regarding (reason not to get) abdominal or pelvic CT scans.Healthcare providers assess the risks and benefits of CT scans before ordering one for people in their care. They also take precautions to minimize risk for people in high-risk groups, such as those with chronic kidney disease, pregnancy, or a known contrast dye allergy.
Risk of Abdominal CT Scan With Contrast Dye
Contrast dye is a substance administered orally, rectally, or intravenously. Contrast dye can cause an allergic reaction. Factors that increase the risk for contrast reactions include:
Shellfish Allergy & Contrast DyeBefore receiving a CT scan with contrast dye, a provider may ask if you have a shellfish allergy. Shellfish contains a small amount of iodine, an element also found in CT contrast dye. However, the iodine in shellfish is different from iodine in contrast dye. There is no evidence that an allergy to shellfish will increase the risk of a contrast dye reaction.
Shellfish Allergy & Contrast Dye
Before receiving a CT scan with contrast dye, a provider may ask if you have a shellfish allergy. Shellfish contains a small amount of iodine, an element also found in CT contrast dye. However, the iodine in shellfish is different from iodine in contrast dye. There is no evidence that an allergy to shellfish will increase the risk of a contrast dye reaction.
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Summary
Abdominal CT scans are a diagnostic tool for identifying infections, inflammation, injury, or cancer in the abdomen or pelvis. A provider might use contact dye depending on the rationale for ordering an abdominal CT scan. Abdominal CT scans are typically quick, lasting about ten minutes. After a radiologist reviews your results, they will send them to your primary care provider, who will review them with you to determine the next best steps to develop a collaborative treatment plan.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Cancer Institute.Computed tomography (CT) scans.Radiological Society of North America and American College of Radiology.Abdominal and pelvic CT.Cartwright SL, Knudson MP.Diagnostic imaging of acute abdominal pain in adults.Am Fam Physician.2015;91(7):452-459Radiology Association of North America and American College of Radiology.Abdominal & pelvic CT scan.Rawson JV, Pelletier AL.When to order contrast-enhanced CT.Am Fam Physician.2013;88(5):312-316.American College of Radiology.ACR-SABI-SAR-SPR practice parameter for the performance of computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and computed tomography (CT) of the pelvis.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Cancer Institute.Computed tomography (CT) scans.Radiological Society of North America and American College of Radiology.Abdominal and pelvic CT.Cartwright SL, Knudson MP.Diagnostic imaging of acute abdominal pain in adults.Am Fam Physician.2015;91(7):452-459Radiology Association of North America and American College of Radiology.Abdominal & pelvic CT scan.Rawson JV, Pelletier AL.When to order contrast-enhanced CT.Am Fam Physician.2013;88(5):312-316.American College of Radiology.ACR-SABI-SAR-SPR practice parameter for the performance of computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and computed tomography (CT) of the pelvis.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Cancer Institute.Computed tomography (CT) scans.Radiological Society of North America and American College of Radiology.Abdominal and pelvic CT.Cartwright SL, Knudson MP.Diagnostic imaging of acute abdominal pain in adults.Am Fam Physician.2015;91(7):452-459Radiology Association of North America and American College of Radiology.Abdominal & pelvic CT scan.Rawson JV, Pelletier AL.When to order contrast-enhanced CT.Am Fam Physician.2013;88(5):312-316.American College of Radiology.ACR-SABI-SAR-SPR practice parameter for the performance of computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and computed tomography (CT) of the pelvis.
National Cancer Institute.Computed tomography (CT) scans.
Radiological Society of North America and American College of Radiology.Abdominal and pelvic CT.
Cartwright SL, Knudson MP.Diagnostic imaging of acute abdominal pain in adults.Am Fam Physician.2015;91(7):452-459
Radiology Association of North America and American College of Radiology.Abdominal & pelvic CT scan.
Rawson JV, Pelletier AL.When to order contrast-enhanced CT.Am Fam Physician.2013;88(5):312-316.
American College of Radiology.ACR-SABI-SAR-SPR practice parameter for the performance of computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and computed tomography (CT) of the pelvis.
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