Whole Abdominal and Pelvis CT Imaging

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Whole Abdomen and Pelvis CT Scan

CT scan imaging evaluation of the whole abdomen including pelvis requires greater attention to patient preparation than CT evaluation of any other body parts of the body. Most CT scan of the abdomen require the administration of an oral contrast media to demonstrate the intestinal lumen and to distend the gastrointestinal tract. To include the entire liver and other abdominal organs, routine studies of the abdomen must include the costodiaphragmic recesses of the lungs, which extend quite far caudally, laterally and dorsally.

Use of Contrast Media

The use of contrast media is imperative to differentiate a fluid filled loop of bowel from a mass or an abdominal fluid collection. Either a dilute barium suspension or a dilute water soluble agent may be used with equal effectiveness. In general, the greater the volume of oral contrast material, the better the bowel opacification. Most indications require the administration of both oral and intravenous contrast agents. Injection parameters vary according to the indication. The study that included in images below was initiated 70 seconds after the intravenous administration of 120 mL of contrast medium and therefore shows the contrast enhancement of both arteries and veins.