Abdomen and pelvic cavity scan

Computerized Tomography (CT) is a scanner diagnostic that allows you to create a series of scans of bones, blood vessels, and soft tissue from different angles or cross sections using X-rays. CT is a fast, painless, non-invasive and precise method. Scanner diagnostics provides more information than X-ray. CT abdomens and pelvic cavity is an imaging technique that enables the detection of various diseases of the internal organs and is often used to detect the cause of unexplained abdominal pain. In case of an emergency, with the help of the scanner, internal organs can be detected and bleeding. The whole procedure lasts about 30 minutes.

WHY IT IS DONE / INDICATIONS

• This procedure is used to detect the causes of abdominal pain and pelvic cavity and various diseases of the internal organs: infections (appendicitis), inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis), pancreatitis, liver cirrhosis, liver carcinoma, kidney, pancreas, ovary, urinary bladder or lymphoma, kidney or bladder stone, aneurysm of abdominal aorta, internal organs (spleen, liver, kidneys or other internal organs).

• CT is also used as an ancillary diagnostic tool in biopsy management, when performing various minimally invasive surgical procedures, in order to plan different operations in order to determine the stages, planning and adequate implementation of air therapy and monitoring the effects of chemotherapy.

HOW IT IS PERFORMED?

• Scanner diagnostic machine is a large machine in the shape of a donut whose ends are open. You will lie on a bed that moves to the machine itself.

• The one you lie on is moving to the machine and the machine rotates around it afterwards. Each rotation of the machine allows you to create an image from different angles and display different body sections. Every rotation of the machine is followed by the most common noise.

• The health worker will be in a separate room next to you, so he will be able to hear and see you. You will be able to communicate with a healthcare professional if necessary. If necessary, a healthcare professional will ask you to breathe in the air to allow for a clear picture to be made.

POTENTIAL RISKS

• During CT Scanning, you will be exposed to some extent to radiation (more than during classic X-ray shooting, because scanner captures more detailed information). The amount of radiation you will be exposed to does not lead to serious complications.

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, because radiation during this recording can damage the fetus.

• The contrast medium used during CT scanning may cause an allergic reaction or some other adverse reaction. Most commonly, there are mild allergic reactions that manifest in the form of itching or redness. Tell your health care staff if you have a known allergic reaction to a contrast agent.

PREPARATION

• You are not permitted to wear any metal objects, belts, jewelry, glasses or prosthesis during shooting.

• You may not eat and drink a few hours before scanning.

• Depending on which part of the body the CT scanner image is, depending on the way the contrast medium is applied (if needed). The contrast medium can be drunk if it is planned to shoot the esophagus or stomach. The contrast of the contrast medium may be unpleasant; If it is planned to take organs such as the gall bladder, liver, various blood vessels or organs of the urinary system, it may be necessary to give a contrast medium to the vein (intravenous), which can be caused by a feeling of heat spreading through the body or metal taste in the mouth; If it is necessary to shoot the rectum, the contrast agent is put directly into the rectum after cleaning the bowel.

• When performing CT scanning for children, it is usually necessary to administer tranquillizers (sedatives) in order to keep the child quiet during the shooting. Child movements can lead to the creation of blurry images, which makes the test results may be incorrect.

AFTER SCANNING

• You can return to your normal daily activities immediately after the test.

• If you have a contrast agent, it is very important that after taking the shot, you drink plenty of fluids to get the contrast agent out of your body as soon as possible.