CT Scan

A CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis can find cysts, abscesses, infection, tumors, an aneurysm, enlarged lymph nodes, foreign objects, bleeding in the belly, diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and appendicitis.

Common usages for an abdominal or pelvic CT:

• Urinary tract. A CT scan can find kidney stones, blockage, growths, infection, and problems or diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract. A special CT scan, called a multi-detector row CT urogram, can look for kidney stones and an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH)
• Liver. A CT scan can find liver tumors, bleeding from the liver, and liver diseases. A CT scan of the liver can help determine the cause of jaundice.
• Pancreas. A CT scan can find a tumor in the pancreas or inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).
• Gallbladder and bile ducts. A CT scan can be used to check for blockage of the bile ducts. Gallstones occasionally show up on a CT scan, but an ultrasound test is usually used to find gallstones.
• Adrenal glands. A CT scan can find tumors or enlarged adrenal glands.
• Spleen. A CT scan can be used to check for an injury to the spleen or the size of the spleen.

This test detects the amount of calcification present in the coronary arteries which allows an accurate prediction of the likelihood of narrowing of coronary arteries. Calcium is easily detected by CT scanning. The test provides a Coronary Artery Calcification Score based on the amount of calcification present. The scan is recommended for middle aged adults 35-70, with one or more risk factor including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, family history of heart disease, obesity, smoking and sedentary lifestyle.

CT is one of the best imaging techniques available for studying the chest and abdomen. These images allow radiologists to confirm the presence of tumors and to measure size, location and involvement with surrounding tissue. CT scans can identify trauma and injuries to the liver, spleen, kidneys and other internal organs. CT scanning also assists in detection, diagnosis and treatment of vascular disease.

Low dose CT scans can detect nodules and the early stages of colon cancer. Spotting colon cancer early in its development is critical to controlling the cancer.

CTA is a method of evaluating the vascular system using reconstructions of CT-acquired data. Angiography is an examination of vessels of the abdomen, brain and extremities and has typically been done through a catheter with x-ray contrast or dye injected into the artery, and then a scan is produced. With CT angiography the procedure is non-invasive, allows for decreased contrast dosage, and is a much shorter procedure that produces an increased amount of information. This procedure is completed in a less invasive manner than traditional angiography which results in less discomfort and risk at a lower cost.

CT percutaneous drainages are performed to release fluid from the site of disease or injury. CT images identify a path for placement of a needle which is inserted to aspirate or drain the specific body part. A common use for this procedure is draining of the lungs of patients with pneumonia.

Through utilization of CT images to guide needle placement, radiologist are able to insert a needle and extract tissue samples. These procedures provide pathology for accurate diagnostic information that can detect cancer and other diseases without invasive surgical techniques. Imaging procedures also provide delineation of the extent of the abnormality and staging of the various cancers.

Most recently CT scanning has come into prominence as a screening service as a means of detecting early disease and assessing health status. Some physicians are combining CT body scanning with annual physicals to detect hidden ailments, such as heart disease, lung cancer and other life threatening diseases of the brain, abdomen or pelvis before symptoms occur.

A full body CT scan provides coronary artery scoring and comprehensive screening of the abdomen, lung, pelvis and bone density to detect coronary artery disease, cancer, osteoporosis and other diseases.

CT shows small bones and surrounding tissues such as muscle and blood vessels which makes it viable for diagnosing that assists in treating spinal and brain abnormalities.

Low dose CT scans can detect small nodules and the early stages of lung cancer. Since lungs tend to have non-malignant nodules, the test may be recommended to be repeated to study the development of nodules over time. Spotting lung cancer early in its development is critical to controlling the cancer.