Normal CT of the
abdomen.
CT of the abdomen,
demonstrating
multiple areas
of abnormality
throughout the
liver.
These are metastatic
tumors from a
colon
cancer.
Normal CT of the
abdomen showing
the liver on
the left
side of the image,
the kidneys on
the
bottom of the
image,
and the pancreas
and gall bladder
near the top
of
the image. The
stomach contains
the
liquid contrast
drink (bright
white).
|
What to Expect During a
CT of the Abdomen
The exact procedure you will follow may
be different than the information below, but this is a general description
of the exam.
You will not be able to eat or drink anything
two hours prior to your exam. Shortly before your exam, you will be asked
to drink a liquid contrast material. You must wait 30 minutes to one hour
for the contrast to enter your bowels prior to having your scan. If you
prefer, you can pick up your oral contrast material from the radiology
department the day prior to your exam. Be sure to get specific instructions
from CT personnel.
A CT technologist will position you on
the exam table. For most exams, a needle will be placed in a vein of the
arm or hand to allow iodine contrast to be injected during the scan. This
allows your doctor to better see the arteries, veins, and organs in your
abdomen and pelvis.
As the exam begins, you will be asked to
take several deep breaths and to then hold your breath for a short period
of time while the scan is made. You will feel the exam table move as the
scan progresses. During the scan, you will hear a "whirring" sound as the
x-ray tube rotates around you. If iodine contrast is used, you will feel
a warm sensation during the injection. This is a normal response to the
contrast injection.
Typically, the exam will take 15 to 30
minutes.
What to Expect
During a CT of the Brain
What to Expect
During a CT of the Chest
When Your Child
Needs a CT Scan
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