CT ABDOMEN & LOWER THORAX

A CT scanner is a sophisticated medical imaging device that uses a series of specialized X-ray beams taken from different angles around your body. A powerful computer then processes this information to create detailed, layered "slices" or cross-sectional images of your bones, blood vessels, and soft tissues.

The anatomical focus of a CT Abdomen & Lower Thorax is extensive, providing a clear visualization of:

• Liver and Gallbladder
• Spleen and Pancreas
• Adrenal Glands and Kidneys
• Parts of the Stomach and Intestines
• Major blood vessels like the aorta
• The lowest part of the chest, including the lung bases

This comprehensive view makes it an invaluable tool for evaluation, often referred to as a lower chest and abdomen ct scan.

Types of CT Abdomen & Lower Thorax

Depending on the clinical question your doctor needs to answer, your scan may be performed with or without contrast.

Without Contrast

This is a baseline scan performed without any contrast agent. It is particularly effective for detecting calcifications, such as those found in kidney stones or gallstones, and for identifying acute internal bleeding.

With Contrast

This is the most common type of abdominal CT. An iodine-based contrast agent is injected through a small IV line in your arm. This is the standard abdominal ct with contrast procedure. The contrast material travels through your bloodstream, brightly highlighting blood vessels and accumulating in organs and tissues. This makes it significantly easier for the radiologist to spot abnormalities like tumors, inflammation, abscesses, or issues with blood flow.

This scan answers the critical question: what does ct scan of upper abdomen show? A radiologist meticulously examines multiple structures and parameters.

• Liver: The liver is assessed for its size, overall shape, and texture. The radiologist looks for any abnormalities like cysts (fluid-filled sacs), abscesses (collections of pus), tumors (benign or malignant), or signs of fatty liver disease or cirrhosis (scarring).
• Spleen & Pancreas: These organs are checked for normal size and tissue density. Enlargement of the spleen can suggest infection or blood disorders. The pancreas is evaluated for inflammation (pancreatitis), fluid collections, or masses.
• Kidneys & Adrenal Glands: The scan shows the size, shape, and position of the kidneys. It can clearly identify kidney stones, blockages, infections, cysts, and tumors. The adrenal glands, situated on top of the kidneys, are also examined for any abnormal growths.
• Gallbladder & Bile Ducts: The CT can detect gallstones, signs of inflammation (cholecystitis), or blockages in the bile ducts that can cause jaundice.
• Lung Bases: The scan includes the very bottom of the lungs. The radiologist checks for early signs of infection (pneumonia), fluid accumulation (pleural effusion), or any suspicious nodules.
• Blood Vessels: Major vessels like the aorta and vena cava are evaluated for conditions like aneurysms (abnormal bulges) or blockages.

The reasons for ordering this test are diverse, ranging from investigating specific symptoms to planning complex medical procedures.

• Symptom Investigation: The test is a primary diagnostic tool for uncovering the source of unexplained symptoms. A ct scan for abdominal pain and liver issues is one of the most common and effective applications of this technology.
• Diagnosing Specific Conditions: It is highly effective at identifying abscesses, cysts, and tumors within abdominal organs.
• Trauma Evaluation: In emergency situations, a CT scan is the fastest and most accurate way to assess for internal injuries to the liver, spleen, kidneys, and other organs after an accident.
• Cancer Staging and Monitoring: For patients diagnosed with cancer, this scan is essential for determining the extent of the disease (staging), helping doctors plan the most effective treatment, and later, for monitoring the response to therapy.
• Surgical and Procedural Planning: Surgeons use the detailed anatomical roadmap from a CT scan to plan surgeries. It is also used to guide procedures like needle biopsies, where a sample of tissue is precisely taken for analysis.

Benefits of Taking the Test

The advantages of a CT Abdomen & Lower Thorax scan are significant for both patients and doctors.

• Speed & Detail: CT scans are incredibly fast, which is crucial in emergency settings. They produce images with exceptional anatomical detail, allowing for a confident diagnosis.
• High Diagnostic Value: The scan’s ability to clearly visualize a wide range of tissues—bone, soft tissue, and blood vessels—simultaneously means it can accurately detect, locate, and characterize many different diseases. This leads to a faster diagnosis and the initiation of appropriate treatment.
• Procedural Guidance: It provides real-time imaging that can be used to guide minimally invasive procedures like biopsies and abscess drainages, increasing their safety and success rate.

Illnesses Diagnosed with Abdomen Lower Thorax CT Scan

This single scan can help diagnose or rule out a wide variety of conditions, including:

• Pancreatitis (acute or chronic inflammation of the pancreas)
• Liver diseases such as cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, and benign or malignant tumors
• Kidney stones, infections (pyelonephritis), and kidney cancer
• Abdominal abscesses
• Cancers of the liver, kidney, pancreas, and adrenal glands
• Internal injuries and bleeding from trauma
• Inflammatory bowel conditions like Crohn's disease or diverticulitis
• Early signs of pneumonia or fluid at the bases of the lungs

Proper preparation is essential for a successful scan. Please follow these instructions carefully.

Diet:

If your scan involves contrast dye, you will likely be asked to fast. This typically means no food or drink for 4 to 6 hours before your scheduled appointment.

Clothing:

On the day of your scan, wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Avoid clothes with metal zippers, snaps, or buttons, as metal can interfere with the images. You may be asked to change into a hospital gown.

Medication:

Inform our staff at Cadabams Diagnostics about all the medications you are currently taking. It is especially important to mention if you take Metformin (or any medication containing it) for diabetes, as you may need to pause it for a short period after the scan.

Pre-requisites

• A doctor's referral or prescription is required to undergo a CT scan.
• If contrast media is planned, you may be required to provide a recent serum creatinine report to confirm your kidneys are functioning well enough to safely process the dye.

Best Time to Take the CT Abdomen & Lower Thorax

This is a scheduled procedure that can be booked on any working day at your convenience. For emergency cases, such as trauma evaluation, the scan can be performed at any time, 24/7.

Eligibility

Most adults are eligible for a CT scan. However, there are some contraindications:

• Pregnancy: Please inform your doctor and our staff if there is any possibility you might be pregnant.
• Contrast Allergy: A known severe allergy to iodine-based contrast material is an absolute contraindication.
• Kidney Function: Very poor kidney function may prevent the use of IV contrast dye.

Procedure for Taking a CT Abdomen & Lower Thorax

Knowing what to expect can help ease any anxiety. Here is a step-by-step look at the patient journey at Cadabams Diagnostics:

1. Check-in: You will arrive at our center, and our front desk staff will confirm your appointment details and guide you through the initial paperwork.
2. Preparation: You may be asked to change into a hospital gown. A technologist will explain the procedure, answer your questions, and confirm your medical history, especially regarding allergies and pregnancy.
3. IV Line Placement: If your scan requires IV contrast, a small, thin tube (IV cannula) will be gently placed into a vein in your arm or hand.
4. Positioning: You will be asked to lie down on your back on a motorized scanner table. The technologist will ensure you are comfortable. The table will then slide slowly into the center of the large, doughnut-shaped CT scanner.
5. The Scan: The technologist will operate the scanner from an adjacent control room where they can see and speak to you via an intercom. They will give you simple instructions, such as "take a deep breath and hold it," at certain points. It is very important to remain still during the scan to ensure the images are clear.
6. Duration: The actual scanning time is very short, often lasting less than a minute. The total time you spend in the scanner room is typically between 15 and 30 minutes.

Caution Before Taking the Test

For your safety, it is absolutely crucial to share the following information with the technologist before your scan begins:

• Any possibility that you are pregnant.
• Any known allergies, especially to iodine, shellfish, or previous contrast dyes.
• Any history of kidney disease, kidney failure, or diabetes.
• Any metallic implants, pacemakers, or other medical devices in your body.