CT Angio Abdomen

• Test name: CT Angiography Abdomen & Pelvis
• Imaging type: Non-invasive computed tomography with contrast dye
• Duration: 15–30 minutes
• Same-day reporting: Available at most centres
• Radiation exposure: Low-dose protocols used at Cadabams Diagnostics

CT angiography (CTA) combines X-rays and computer processing to create 3D pictures of blood vessels. When the scan focuses on the abdomen and pelvis, it captures:

• Abdominal aorta and branches (coeliac, superior mesenteric, renal, inferior mesenteric)
• Iliac arteries and veins
• Portal venous system
• Pelvic vascular supply A small IV of iodinated contrast dye highlights the vessels, making blockages, aneurysms, or malformations easy to spot.

• Lumen diameter (aneurysm vs stenosis)
• Enhancement pattern (tumour vs thrombus)
• Calcium score (plaque burden)
• Vessel wall thickness (inflammation)
• Collateral pathways (chronic occlusion)

• Evaluate abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)
• Detect renal artery stenosis causing hypertension
• Diagnose mesenteric ischemia before bowel infarction
• Screen for pelvic varices in women with chronic pelvic pain
• Pre-surgical mapping for tumour resection

You may need a CT angiography abdomen pelvis if you have:

• Unexplained abdominal or flank pain
• Suspected aneurysm or dissection
• Chronic or acute mesenteric ischemia
• Kidney donor evaluation
• Trauma with possible vascular injury
• Follow-up after stent or bypass surgery

• Non-invasive: No catheter insertion into the heart
• Fast: 15-minute scan vs hours-long angiography
• Accurate: 95 % sensitivity for significant stenosis
• Guidance: Helps plan minimally invasive surgery or stenting

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm
• Aortic dissection
• Renal artery stenosis
• Mesenteric ischemia
• Portal vein thrombosis
• Pelvic congestion syndrome

3 Simple Steps

1. Fast: Nothing by mouth 4–6 hours before the scan.
2. Hydrate: Drink 1 L water the day before to protect kidneys.
3. Medications: Hold metformin 48 h post-procedure if eGFR < 30.

• Creatinine report within 4 weeks
• Allergy history (shellfish, iodine)
• Pregnancy test for women of child-bearing age

• Morning slots: Better contrast tolerance on an empty stomach
• Avoid during acute illness (fever, dehydration)

1. Check-in at reception with ID and doctor’s prescription
2. Consent form and allergy screening
3. IV line inserted (18–20 G)
4. Positioning on scanner table, feet-first
5. Contrast injection via automated injector (4–5 mL/sec)
6. Breath-hold instructions for 10–15 seconds
7. Scan acquisition in arterial & venous phases
8. Observation 15 minutes post-injection for delayed reactions

• Inform staff of any prior contrast reactions
• Remove metal (belts, jewellery) to avoid artefacts
• Bring previous imaging for comparison

Risks (rare but real):

• Allergic reaction to iodine (1 in 1,000)
• Contrast-induced nephropathy in severe kidney disease
• Radiation (equivalent to ~5 years of natural background) Limitations:
• Not ideal for patients with very high heart rates or metal implants causing artefacts
• May miss very small branch vessel disease