CT LOWER ABDOMEN (INCLUDING PELVIS)WITHOUT CONTRAST

A CT scan of the lower abdomen and pelvis is a rapid, painless, and non-invasive imaging exam that provides your doctor with a comprehensive view of your internal structures. Its primary purpose is to create highly detailed, cross-sectional pictures of the organs, bones, soft tissues, and blood vessels within your lower abdominal and pelvic regions. This specific test, often called a "plain" CT, is performed without an intravenous (IV) injection of contrast material, or dye. At Cadabams Diagnostics, we utilize advanced CT technology to ensure you receive the clearest possible images for an accurate diagnosis, helping guide your path to effective treatment.

What is a CT Lower Abdomen & Pelvis Scan?

A Computed Tomography (CT) scan combines specialized X-ray equipment with sophisticated computer processing to generate multiple images or "slices" of the inside of your body. Think of it like looking at a single slice of bread from a whole loaf—it allows the radiologist to see intricate details that might be hidden in a standard X-ray.

This series of images can then be viewed in different planes or even used to create 3D reconstructions of your organs and bones. Because this particular scan does not use a contrast agent, it is often referred to by healthcare professionals as a plain CT or, more specifically, an NCCT Pelvis Scan (Non-Contrast Computed Tomography).

Types of Lower Abdomen & Pelvis CT Scans

It's important to understand the two main types of CT scans for this region:

1. CT Scan Without Contrast: This is the focus of this page. It is a "plain" scan that provides excellent detail of bones and is highly effective for detecting calcifications like kidney stones and certain acute conditions.
2. CT Scan With Contrast: This version involves an IV injection of an iodine-based dye. The contrast material travels through your bloodstream, highlighting organs and blood vessels. It is ordered for different clinical reasons, such as looking for tumors, infections, or evaluating blood flow.

Your referring doctor will determine which type of scan is appropriate based on your specific symptoms and medical history.

During the analysis of your CT Lower Abdomen (including Pelvis) without Contrast, our expert radiologists meticulously examine a wide range of structures. They are looking for any signs of abnormality, injury, or disease. Key parameters include:

• Kidneys, Ureters, and Bladder: Checking for kidney stones (urolithiasis), blockages causing swelling (hydronephrosis), masses, or structural abnormalities.
• Appendix: Looking for signs of inflammation, increased size, or rupture, which are indicative of appendicitis.
• Bowel (Intestines): Evaluating for obstructions, signs of inflammation in small pockets of the colon (diverticulitis), or bowel wall thickening.
• Pelvic Bones and Hips: Identifying fractures, dislocations, or degenerative changes.
• Reproductive Organs: Assessing the uterus and ovaries in females and the prostate gland in males for large or obvious abnormalities like large cysts or masses.
• Abdominal Cavity: Looking for the presence of free fluid (ascites) or free air (pneumoperitoneum), which can indicate organ perforation or other serious issues.

Your doctor may order this specific scan if you are experiencing symptoms that strongly suggest a condition best visualized without contrast dye. These include:

• Severe, sudden pain that originates in your back or side and often radiates to the lower abdomen or groin.
• Painful urination, a persistent urge to urinate, or visible blood in the urine (hematuria).
• Recent trauma from a fall or accident, with concerns about a pelvic or hip fracture.
• Fever accompanied by sharp, localized pain in the lower right side of your abdomen (a classic sign of appendicitis).
• Generalized but severe and unexplained pelvic pain requiring urgent diagnosis.

When and Who Needs to Take This Scan?

A CT Lower Abdomen (including Pelvis) without Contrast is a crucial diagnostic tool, frequently used in both emergency and routine settings. It is typically ordered for:

• Sudden onset of sharp pain: This is one of the most common reasons, especially when the pain is located in the lower abdomen, pelvis, or flank (the side of your back, below the ribs).
• Suspected kidney stones: This scan is the gold standard for accurately detecting the size, location, and number of kidney or ureteral stones.
• Trauma and injury: Following an accident or injury, this scan can quickly identify pelvic bone fractures, hip dislocations, or internal bleeding.
• Suspected appendicitis or diverticulitis: It helps visualize the appendix and colon for signs of inflammation or infection.

It is often the first-line imaging test for patients who arrive at the emergency room with acute symptoms, as well as for individuals with a known history of conditions like recurrent kidney stones.

Benefits of Taking the Test

Choosing to have a CT scan at Cadabams Diagnostics offers several key advantages for your diagnostic journey:

• Speed: It is one of the fastest imaging methods available to diagnose the cause of acute abdominal and pelvic pain, with the actual scan time often lasting less than a minute. This is critical in emergency situations.
• Accuracy: The scan is extremely precise and effective for detecting kidney stones, bone fractures, and internal injuries.
• Availability: CT scanners are widely available in hospitals and diagnostic centers like ours, ensuring you can get the test you need without significant delay. [Link to: Find a Location page]
• Guidance: The detailed images provide your doctor with the crucial information needed to guide emergency treatment, plan for potential surgery, or decide on the next steps in your care.

Illnesses Diagnosed with CT Lower Abdomen (Including Pelvis)

A CT Lower Abdomen (including Pelvis) without Contrast is instrumental in diagnosing a variety of conditions, including:

• Kidney Stones (Urolithiasis): Both in the kidney and the ureter.
• Appendicitis: Inflammation of the appendix.
• Diverticulitis: Inflammation or infection of small pouches in the colon.
• Bowel Obstruction: Blockage in the small or large intestine.
• Pelvic and Hip Fractures: Breaks in the bones of the pelvis or hip joint.
• Abscesses: Localized collections of pus from an infection.
• Certain types of Hernias: When a portion of the intestine protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles.

Preparation for a plain CT scan is simple and straightforward.

• Clothing: Please wear loose, comfortable clothing for your appointment. You may be asked to change into a hospital gown to ensure no metal on your clothes interferes with the scan.
• Metal Objects: You must remove all metal objects, including jewelry, piercings, eyeglasses, dentures, hearing aids, and belts. Metal can cause artifacts on the images, reducing their quality.
• Diet: No special dietary restrictions are necessary. You can eat and drink as you normally would before a CT lower abdomen scan without contrast.

Pre-requisites

• You will need a valid referral or prescription from your doctor to have the scan performed.
• No prior tests are usually required. However, if you have had previous imaging scans (like an ultrasound or X-ray) of the same area, please bring the reports and images with you for comparison.

Best Time to Take the Scan

This test can be performed at any time of day. Because it is often used to diagnose acute conditions, it is frequently performed on an urgent or emergency basis as soon as you can get to the diagnostic center.

Eligibility

The CT scan is safe for most adults and children. The primary factor that affects eligibility is pregnancy. It is crucial to inform us if you are, or think you might be, pregnant.

The Plain CT Abdomen and Pelvis Procedure

We are committed to making your experience at Cadabams Diagnostics as comfortable as possible. Here is what you can expect during the procedure:

• Step 1: Positioning You will be greeted by one of our certified CT technologists, who will ask you to lie on your back on a narrow, padded examination table. They will help position you correctly, possibly using pillows for support and to ensure you can remain still.

• Step 2: Entering the Scanner The technologist will operate the scanner from an adjacent control room. They will use a remote control to slide the examination table into the center of the large, circular CT machine, which is often described as looking like a large donut.

• Step 3: The Scan As the scanner begins its work, the internal X-ray tube will rotate around you, and the table will move slowly through the machine. You will hear whirring and clicking sounds. It is vital that you remain as still as possible during this time.

• Step 4: Breathing Instructions To prevent blurring of the images from the movement of your lungs, the technologist may ask you to hold your breath for short periods (usually just a few seconds) at a time. The technologist will communicate with you through an intercom system.

Duration: The actual scanning portion of the CT Lower Abdomen (including Pelvis) without Contrast is incredibly fast, often completed in less than 30 seconds. Your entire appointment, from check-in to completion, will typically take about 15 to 30 minutes.

Caution Before Taking the Test

It is absolutely crucial that you inform your doctor and the CT technologist if there is any possibility that you are pregnant.