What Does A CT Scan Of The Abdomen Show

If your doctor has recommended a CT scan of the abdomen, you may be wondering why. An abdominal CT (computed tomography) scan is the preferred scan for abdominal injuries, illnesses, and issues. Your doctor likely has recommended this type of scan because they are concerned that your health is at risk of one or more of these problems.

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Your doctor will likely recommend an abdominal CT if you have any of the following symptoms:

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blood in urine
pain
swelling in the abdomen
hernia
fever
masses or tumors
infections or injuries
kidney stones
appendicitis
If you’ve received abnormal blood test results from liver or kidney problems

*Experiencing one of these symptoms does not mean you have an abdominal problem

CT scans show the following organs: pancreas, liver, colon, and reproductive organs. An abdominal CT scan is usually looking for anything abnormal – anything that could be causing your symptoms. Getting a CT scan means getting exposed to a small amount of radiation, but studies show that there is no correlation between getting a CT scan and an increased risk of cancer.

What Are The Benefits Of An Abdominal CT?

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Your CT scan will take 20-30 minutes if you are getting a CT scan without contrast. If you are getting a CT scan with contrast, it will take between 30-60 minutes. During your CT scan, you will lay on your back on a bed, with your arms stretched over your head. The bed will slide into the machine where the X-ray beam will rotate around you. After your appointment, you will be free to go about your normal routine.

The preferred scan for stomach problems is a CT scan as it is fast and effective at diagnosing the cause of unexplained pain in the abdomen. A CT scan and an MRI are both medical techniques that make excellent options to examine your intestines. These scans can be used to guide targeted treatments and surgeries involving the abdomen.

A CT scan and a colonoscopy have different goals and are not interchangeable. A CT scan captures a series of images, also known as slices, to form 3D images of the organs and tissues inside the body. A colonoscopy is a procedure that can visualize the inside surface of the colon only. However, a virtual colonoscopy can be conducted as an alternative to a traditional colonoscopy. A virtual colonoscopy uses CT equipment and a special computer to screen for polyps or cancers in the large intestine.

What Does An Abdominal CT Detect?

An abdominal CT scan shows more than an abdominal ultrasound. Ultrasound has a better ability to capture motion inside the body but has limitations on what organs it can be used on. An abdominal CT scan is much better at screening for certain types of medical conditions including cancer. Although more expensive than an ultrasound, An abdominal CT scan can detect a wider range of conditions, eliminating the need for additional imaging.

An abdominal CT scan can diagnose any of the following:

Stomach inflammation
GERD
Impacted bowel
gastritis
polyps
intestinal problems
diseases of the small bowel
diseases of the colon
cancer of the renal pelvis
cancer of the ureter
colon cancer
lymphoma
melanoma
ovarian cancer
pancreatic cancer
kidney cancer
tumors that originate outside the belly
blockages and potential blockages

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Doctors cannot tell if a mass is cancerous just by looking at a CT scan. They will need to take a biopsy of the mass and test it. In some cases, the doctors might choose to remove the mass before testing it, just in case.

An abdominal CT scan can detect air bubbles in the esophagus, which is usually the telling symptom of GERD. A CT scan cannot show IBS, nerve damage, or some cancers like prostate cancer, and uterine cancer. Stomach ulcers can be diagnosed with a blood test (for H. pylori bacteria), a stool test, then an Upper GI series. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about these symptoms. While a CT scan can diagnose gastritis, your doctor may recommend other options, like an upper GI series, which involves an X-ray but is not considered a CT scan.

When Will I Receive My Results?

Your results will be available within around 24 hours, if not sooner. One of our board-certified, subspecialized radiologists will interpret the results and send a detailed report to your doctor, who will schedule a follow-up appointment with you. While CT scans are not the most detailed scans available, they are one of the best options to help diagnose gastrointestinal conditions and can be conducted faster than an MRI. If your doctor has recommended a CT scan, you can trust that they have considered what scan will do the best job of diagnosing or monitoring your injury or illness.

At South Jersey Radiology, abdominal CT scans cost up to 60% less than at a hospital-based imaging center and are in-network with 99% of health insurance providers. We are committed to bringing every patient compassionate care that works with their schedule. Call us today to schedule an appointment at any of our following locations: