CT Scan of the Abdomen

What’s a computed tomography (CT) scan of the stomach?

A computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging take a look at that makes use of X-rays and a pc to make detailed pictures of the physique. A CT scan exhibits particulars of the bones, muscle mass, fats, gentle tissues, organs, and blood vessels. They’re extra detailed than common X-rays.

In a CT scan, an X-ray beam strikes in a circle round your physique. This permits many various views of the identical a part of the physique. The X-ray info is shipped to a pc that interprets the X-ray information and shows it on a monitor.

Throughout some assessments, you obtain a distinction dye. This may be given orally, although a vein, or each methods. It makes components of your physique present up higher within the picture.

CT scans of the stomach can provide extra detailed info than common X-rays. CT scans can provide healthcare suppliers extra details about accidents or ailments of the belly organs.

Why would possibly I want a CT scan of the stomach?

The stomach accommodates many organs. These embrace the gastrointestinal, urinary, endocrine, and reproductive programs. A CT scan of the stomach could also be used to test the stomach and its organs for:

• • Tumors or different lesions

• • Accidents

• • Bleeding

• • Infections

• • Blood vessel issues

• • Unexplained stomach ache

• • Blockages

• • Different well being issues

A CT scan could also be finished when one other sort of examination, reminiscent of an X-ray or bodily examination, will not be conclusive.

It could even be used to test tumors and different circumstances of the stomach earlier than and after therapy. Or it may be finished to information the needle throughout biopsies and different procedures. A biopsy is when a small piece of tissue is eliminated so it may be examined within the lab.

There could also be different causes you want a CT scan of the stomach. Verify along with your healthcare supplier for extra info.

What are the dangers of a CT scan of the stomach?

You could wish to ask your healthcare supplier in regards to the quantity of radiation used in the course of the CT scan. They’ll additionally clarify your private dangers. CT scan radiation varies relying on the area of the physique being examined, however it could be 100 to 800 instances better than an everyday chest X-ray. It’s a good suggestion to maintain a document of your radiation publicity, reminiscent of earlier CT scans and different forms of X-rays, in an effort to inform your healthcare supplier. Dangers linked to radiation publicity could also be associated to the cumulative variety of X-ray exams or remedies over a protracted interval.

In case you are pregnant or suppose it’s possible you’ll be pregnant, inform your healthcare supplier. Radiation publicity throughout being pregnant might result in start defects.

If distinction dye is used, there’s a threat for allergic response to the dye. In case you are allergic to or delicate to medicines, distinction, or iodine, inform your healthcare supplier.

Nursing mother and father ought to speak with the radiologist about when to renew breastfeeding after the distinction materials is injected.

Inform your healthcare supplier in case you are taking the diabetes drugs metformin. You could be informed to cease taking this drugs earlier than the scan.

Individuals with kidney failure or different kidney issues ought to speak with their healthcare supplier. In some circumstances, the distinction dye could cause kidney failure. Individuals with kidney illness are extra vulnerable to kidney injury after distinction publicity.

There could also be different dangers relying in your particular medical issues. Make sure you focus on any considerations along with your healthcare supplier earlier than the scan.

Sure issues might make a CT scan of the stomach much less correct. These embrace:

• • Metallic objects throughout the stomach, reminiscent of surgical clips

• • Barium within the intestines from a latest barium examine

• • Stool or gasoline within the bowel

• • Complete hip alternative

How do I prepare for a CT scan of the stomach?

• • Your healthcare supplier will clarify the scan to you and provide you with an opportunity to ask any questions.

• • In case your CT scan includes using distinction dye, you may be requested to signal a consent type that offers permission to do the scan. Learn the shape rigorously and ask questions if something will not be clear.

• • Inform the technologist if in case you have ever had a response to distinction dyes or in case you are allergic to iodine.

• • Usually, there isn’t a fasting (not consuming) requirement previous to a CT scan, except a distinction dye is for use. Your healthcare supplier will provide you with particular directions forward of time if distinction is for use and also you gained’t be capable of eat or drink.

• • Inform your healthcare supplier about all of the prescription and over-the-counter medicines, nutritional vitamins, herbs, and dietary supplements you’re taking.

• • Inform the technologist in case you are pregnant or suppose it’s possible you’ll be pregnant.

• • Inform the technologist if in case you have any physique piercings in your chest or stomach.

• • Based mostly in your medical situation, your healthcare supplier might request different preparations.

• • In case you are claustrophobic, focus on drugs to take beforehand along with your healthcare supplier to assist with the take a look at.

What occurs throughout a CT scan of the stomach?

You’ll have a CT scan as an outpatient or as a part of your keep in a hospital. Procedures might differ relying in your situation.

Usually, a CT scan of the stomach follows this course of:

1. 1. You’ll be requested to take away any clothes, jewellery, or different objects which will intrude with the scan.

1. 1. In case you are requested to take away clothes, you may be given a robe to put on.

1. 1. In case you are to have a scan finished with distinction, an IV line shall be began in your hand or arm for injection of the distinction dye. For oral distinction, you may be given a liquid distinction to drink. In some conditions, the distinction could also be given rectally.

1. 1. You’ll lie on a slim scan desk that slides into a big, round opening of the ring-shaped scanning machine. Pillows and straps could also be used to assist stop motion in the course of the scan.

1. 1. The technologist shall be in one other room the place the scanner controls are positioned. Nevertheless, it is possible for you to to see the technologist by way of a window always. Audio system contained in the scanner will enable the technologist to speak to you and listen to you. You should have a name button in an effort to let the technologist know if in case you have any issues in the course of the scan. The technologist shall be watching you always and shall be in fixed communication.

1. 1. Because the scanner begins to rotate round you, X-rays will go by way of your physique for brief quantities of time. You’ll hear clicking and whirring sounds, that are regular.

1. 1. The X-rays absorbed by the physique’s tissues shall be discovered by the scanner and despatched to the pc. The pc will ship the data into a picture to be interpreted by the radiologist.

1. 1. It is going to be vital that you just keep very nonetheless in the course of the scan. You could be requested to carry your breath for a short while at numerous instances in the course of the scan.

1. 1. If distinction dye is used, you may be faraway from the scanner after the primary set of scans has been accomplished. A second set of scans shall be taken after the distinction dye has been given.

1. 1. If distinction dye is used, it’s possible you’ll really feel some results when the dye is injected into the IV line. These results embrace a heat, flushing sensation, a salty or metallic style within the mouth, a short headache, or nausea. These results normally final just for just a few moments. Let the technologist know for those who really feel ache or tingling on the IV web site after injection.

1. 1. You need to inform the technologist if in case you have any bother respiration, sweating, numbness, or coronary heart palpitations.

1. 1. When the scan has been accomplished, you may be faraway from the scanner.

1. 1. If an IV line was inserted, it will likely be eliminated.

1. 1. You could be requested to attend for a brief time frame whereas the radiologist examines the scans to verify they’re clear.

Whereas a CT scan itself causes no ache, having to lie nonetheless for the size of the process would possibly trigger some discomfort or ache, significantly for those who’ve lately been injured or had surgical procedure. The technologist will use all potential consolation measures and full the process as rapidly as potential to attenuate any discomfort or ache.

What occurs after a CT scan of the stomach?

If distinction dye was used, it’s possible you’ll be watched for a time frame for any unintended effects or reactions to the distinction dye. These embrace itching, swelling, rash, or bother respiration. Inform the radiologist or your healthcare supplier straight away for those who discover any of those signs.

Inform your healthcare supplier for those who discover any ache, redness, or swelling on the IV web site after you go residence. These may very well be indicators of an infection or different sort of response.

In case you are given distinction by mouth, you will have diarrhea or constipation after the scan.

In any other case, you do not want any particular care after a CT scan of the stomach. You could return to your ordinary weight-reduction plan and actions except your healthcare supplier tells you in a different way.

Your healthcare supplier might provide you with different directions relying in your scenario.

Subsequent steps

Earlier than you comply with the take a look at or the process, ensure you know:

• • The identify of the take a look at or process

• • The rationale you’re having the take a look at or process

• • What outcomes to count on and what they imply

• • The dangers and advantages of the take a look at or process

• • What the potential unintended effects or problems are

• • When and the place you’re to have the take a look at or process

• • Who will do the take a look at or process and what that particular person’s {qualifications} are

• • What would occur for those who didn’t have the take a look at or process

• • Any various assessments or procedures to consider

• • When and the way you’ll get the outcomes

• • Who to name after the take a look at or process if in case you have questions or issues

• • How a lot you’ll have to pay for the take a look at or process