CT Scan of the Liver and Biliary Tract

What’s a computed tomography (CT) scan of the liver and biliary tract?

A computed tomography (CT) scan is a sort of imaging take a look at. It makes use of X-rays and pc expertise to make detailed photographs of the physique. A CT scan could make detailed footage of any a part of the physique, together with the bones, muscle mass, fats, 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 enables many various views of the identical a part of the physique. The X-ray data is distributed to a pc that interprets the info and shows it on a monitor.

Throughout some exams, you get a distinction dye orally or via a vein. This dye makes elements of your physique present up higher within the picture.

CT scans of the liver and biliary tract can present extra detailed details about the liver, gallbladder, and associated buildings than common X-rays of the stomach. CT scans can provide healthcare suppliers extra details about accidents or ailments of the liver, gallbladder, and biliary tract.

Why may I would like a CT scan of the liver and biliary tract?

A CT scan of the liver and biliary tract could also be used to verify the liver or gallbladder and their associated buildings for:

A CT scan could also be executed when one other kind of examination, reminiscent of an X-ray, bodily examination, or ultrasound, isn’t conclusive.

CT scans of the liver and biliary tract may be used to information needles throughout biopsies of the liver. A biopsy includes eradicating a small piece of tissue so it may be examined underneath a microscope within the lab.

It will also be executed to assist take away fluid from the world of the liver or biliary tract. CT scans of the liver are helpful within the prognosis of sure kinds of jaundice. Jaundice is the yellowing of the pores and skin and eyes that’s attributable to sure liver issues.

There could also be different causes in your healthcare supplier to advise a CT scan of the liver and biliary tract.

What are the dangers of a CT scan of the liver and biliary tract?

Chances are you’ll need to ask your healthcare supplier in regards to the quantity of radiation used in the course of the CT scan. They will additionally clarify your private dangers.

Inform your healthcare supplier if you’re pregnant or assume you could possibly be. 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. Inform your healthcare supplier if you’re allergic to or delicate to medicines, distinction, or iodine.

In case you are breastfeeding and distinction dye is used, discuss with the radiologist about when to renew breastfeeding after the distinction is injected.

Inform your healthcare supplier in case you have kidney failure or different kidney issues. In some instances, the distinction dye may cause kidney failure. Individuals with kidney illness usually tend to have kidney injury after distinction publicity.

Inform your healthcare supplier if you’re taking the diabetes medication metformin. Chances are you’ll be informed to cease taking this medication a number of days earlier than the scan.

There could also be different dangers relying in your particular well being issues. Focus on any issues together with your healthcare supplier earlier than the process.

Sure issues could make a CT scan of the liver and biliary tract much less correct. These embody:

Steel objects throughout the stomach (stomach) reminiscent of surgical clips

Barium within the intestines from a latest barium research

Previous process utilizing oral or IV (intravenous) distinction inside a sure time period

How do I prepare for a CT scan of the liver and biliary tract?

Your healthcare supplier will clarify the process to you and offer you an opportunity to ask any questions.

In case your CT scan includes the usage of distinction dye, you may be requested to signal a consent type that provides permission to do the process. Learn the shape fastidiously and ask questions if something isn’t clear.

Inform the technologist in case you have ever had a response to any distinction dye or if you’re allergic to iodine.

Typically, you need not not eat (quick) earlier than 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 to eat or drink.

Inform your healthcare supplier about all of the medicines you take. This consists of prescription and over-the-counter medicines, nutritional vitamins, herbs, and dietary supplements.

Inform your healthcare supplier in case you have any kidney points.

Inform the technologist if you’re pregnant or assume you could possibly be.

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

Primarily based in your medical situation, your healthcare supplier might request different preparations.

What occurs throughout a CT scan of the liver and biliary tract?

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

Typically, a CT scan of the liver and biliary tract follows this course of:

Chances are you’ll be requested to signal a consent type that provides permission to do the process.

You may be requested to take away any clothes, jewellery, or different objects that will intervene with the process.

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

In case you are to have a scan executed 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.

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

The technologist shall be in one other room the place the scanner controls are positioned. However it is possible for you to to see the technologist via a window always. Audio system contained in the scanner will permit the technologist to speak to you and listen to you. You’ll have a name button as a way to let the technologist know 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.

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

The X-rays absorbed by the physique’s tissues shall be detected by the scanner and transmitted to the pc. The pc will rework the data into a picture to be interpreted by the radiologist.

It is going to be necessary that you just keep very nonetheless in the course of the scan. Chances are you’ll be requested to carry your breath for a short while at varied occasions in the course of the scan.

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.

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 embody a heat flushing sensation, a salty or metallic style within the mouth, a short headache, or nausea. These results normally final just for a couple of moments. Inform the technologist should you really feel ache or tingling on the IV website after the distinction is injected..

It is best to inform the technologist in case you have any sweating, numbness, bother respiration, or coronary heart palpitations.

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

If an IV line was inserted, it is going to be eliminated.

Chances are you’ll be requested to attend for a brief time period whereas the radiologist examines the scans to ensure they’re clear.

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

What occurs after a CT scan of the liver and biliary tract?

If distinction dye was used, it’s possible you’ll be watched for a time period for any unwanted side effects or reactions to the distinction dye. These embody itching, swelling, rash, or bother respiration. Inform the radiologist or your healthcare supplier instantly should you discover any of those signs.

Inform your healthcare supplier should you discover any ache, redness, or swelling on the IV website after you go dwelling. These could possibly be indicators of an infection or different kind of response.

In any other case, you do not want any particular care after a CT scan of the liver and biliary tract. Chances are you’ll return to your common weight loss program and actions except your healthcare supplier tells you in a different way.

Your healthcare supplier might offer you different directions, relying in your state of affairs.

Subsequent steps

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

The identify of the take a look at or process

The explanation you might be 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 unwanted side effects or issues are

When and the place you might be to have the take a look at or process

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

What would occur should you didn’t have the take a look at or process

Any various exams or procedures to consider

When and the way you’ll get the outcomes

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

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