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What Does This Abdominal CT Scanning Report Suggest?
Question: Dear Doctor,
Questions regarding Abdominal CT Scanning
I was recently referred for a CT Scan of the abdomen and pelvic region with contrast which is due to take place in the next few days. The symptoms I presented with to my GP were long standing deranged Liver Enzymes, stomach cramps, pain in my upper back under in the middle, behind my right shoulder blade and under the bottom line of of my ribs all the way round on the right hand side. A previous Ultrasound done about a year ago showed a Fatty Liver but at the that time I had no stomach cramps. My GP has referred me for a CT of the Abdomen and Pelvic region with contrast (which I believe will be administered orally). My first question is, in terms of this scan, do you know if this study will show any potential problems with my Pancreas, Liver, Kidneys and Spleen or does it mainly focus on the stomach? I am concerned that the pains I am experiencing may be liver or pancreas related and although I do have stomach cramps the pain seems to be radiating from the aforementioned areas so I am concerned about the Liver, Kidneys Pancreas etc and want to confirm that this type of CT is the right one to do. I have ready that contract administered intravenously is more focused towards looking at the Pancreas etc.
My second question is, I have developed some painful, what feel like fatty lumps just under the lower crest of my ribs. Will a CT be able to see what these are and clearly distinguish fatty lumps, lymph glands or anything suspicious or is the CT focused towards internal organs only.
My final question, does the go down as far as the Iliac Crest and will the CT scan above pick up any hernia in or around that area?
I very much appreciate your professional advice
Questions regarding Abdominal CT Scanning
I was recently referred for a CT Scan of the abdomen and pelvic region with contrast which is due to take place in the next few days. The symptoms I presented with to my GP were long standing deranged Liver Enzymes, stomach cramps, pain in my upper back under in the middle, behind my right shoulder blade and under the bottom line of of my ribs all the way round on the right hand side. A previous Ultrasound done about a year ago showed a Fatty Liver but at the that time I had no stomach cramps. My GP has referred me for a CT of the Abdomen and Pelvic region with contrast (which I believe will be administered orally). My first question is, in terms of this scan, do you know if this study will show any potential problems with my Pancreas, Liver, Kidneys and Spleen or does it mainly focus on the stomach? I am concerned that the pains I am experiencing may be liver or pancreas related and although I do have stomach cramps the pain seems to be radiating from the aforementioned areas so I am concerned about the Liver, Kidneys Pancreas etc and want to confirm that this type of CT is the right one to do. I have ready that contract administered intravenously is more focused towards looking at the Pancreas etc.
My second question is, I have developed some painful, what feel like fatty lumps just under the lower crest of my ribs. Will a CT be able to see what these are and clearly distinguish fatty lumps, lymph glands or anything suspicious or is the CT focused towards internal organs only.
My final question, does the go down as far as the Iliac Crest and will the CT scan above pick up any hernia in or around that area?
I very much appreciate your professional advice
Brief Answer:
Contrast CT scan is ideal to evaluate organs like liver,pancreas,kidneysetc
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Contrast CT scan is ideal to evaluate abdominal organs like liver,pancreas,spleen,kidneys etc.It doesn't focus only on stomach.
If will certainly detect problems if you have any.
Stomach is better evaluated by endoscopy.
Fatty liver is a reversible condition and it can be reversed by diet and life style changes.
Lumps below the region of ribs may be superficial lesions like lipoma,neurofibroma etc.It need clinical correlation and small superficial lesions are better evaluated by ultrasound and FNAC.CT scan can also evaluate such superficial lesions.
CT scan can detect hernia around iliac crest but it need some clinical maneuvers by a clinician for confirmation.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.
Get well soon.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Contrast CT scan is ideal to evaluate organs like liver,pancreas,kidneysetc
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Contrast CT scan is ideal to evaluate abdominal organs like liver,pancreas,spleen,kidneys etc.It doesn't focus only on stomach.
If will certainly detect problems if you have any.
Stomach is better evaluated by endoscopy.
Fatty liver is a reversible condition and it can be reversed by diet and life style changes.
Lumps below the region of ribs may be superficial lesions like lipoma,neurofibroma etc.It need clinical correlation and small superficial lesions are better evaluated by ultrasound and FNAC.CT scan can also evaluate such superficial lesions.
CT scan can detect hernia around iliac crest but it need some clinical maneuvers by a clinician for confirmation.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.
Get well soon.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello Dr XXXXXXX
Many thanks for your reply.
Specifically I understand that their are 2 types of contrast given. Oral and also Intravenous. Can you please confirm why Oral would be given instead of Intravenous contrast and also if Oral contrast will show the Liver, Pancreas, Kidneys clearly also?.
Thank-you again, your advice is much appreciated.
Many thanks for your reply.
Specifically I understand that their are 2 types of contrast given. Oral and also Intravenous. Can you please confirm why Oral would be given instead of Intravenous contrast and also if Oral contrast will show the Liver, Pancreas, Kidneys clearly also?.
Thank-you again, your advice is much appreciated.
Brief Answer:
Oral contrast is given only to opacify and delineate bowel loops(intestine)
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Oral contrast is given only to opacify and delineate bowel loops(intestine),it is not helpful in assessing enhancement pattern of organs since it is not absorbed in blood.
Enhancement is an important factor during CT scan study and for it we inject intravenous XXXXXXX As XXXXXXX is injected directly into blood,it helps in better study of organs and lesions.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.
Please rate my answer if you are satisfied.
Get well soon.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Oral contrast is given only to opacify and delineate bowel loops(intestine)
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Oral contrast is given only to opacify and delineate bowel loops(intestine),it is not helpful in assessing enhancement pattern of organs since it is not absorbed in blood.
Enhancement is an important factor during CT scan study and for it we inject intravenous XXXXXXX As XXXXXXX is injected directly into blood,it helps in better study of organs and lesions.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.
Please rate my answer if you are satisfied.
Get well soon.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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