Can you tell me all about a CAT or CT Scan? Abdominal/Pelvic only.?

Question

Please elaborate on the details of a scan on abdomen & pelvic area.

I am more worried about the "banana smoothie" concoction than anything.

Answer 1

The banana smoothie is barium.  It is thick and chalky, but not terribly bad.  You drink it and they put you on the CT Table.  The CT table will move to get your abdomen under the CT unit.  They take the pictures and that is it.

After you get through, try and have a bowel movement as soon as possible to get the barium out.

Answer 2

CT scanning—sometimes called CAT scanning—is a noninvasive, painless medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions.

CT imaging uses special x-ray equipment to produce multiple images or pictures of the inside of the body and a computer to join them together in cross-sectional views of the area being studied. The images can then be examined on a computer monitor or printed.

CT scans of internal organs, bone, soft tissue and blood vessels provide greater clarity than conventional x-ray exams.

This procedure is typically used to help diagnose the cause of abdominal pain and diseases of the bowel and colon, such as:

• abscesses in the abdomen

• inflamed colon

• cancers of the colon, liver, pancreas and kidneys

• pancreatitis

• lymphoma

• staging for cancer

• diverticulitis

• appendicitis

CT scanning of the abdomen/pelvis is also performed to:

• visualize the liver, spleen, pancreas and kidneys

• plan and properly administer radiation treatments for tumors

• guide biopsies and other minimally invasive procedures

CT imaging can also play a significant role in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of vascular disorders that can lead to stroke, gangrene or kidney failure.

Answer 3

The Barium sucks.  You have to drink a good amount of it too.  Best thing is to just hold your nose and down it.  The CT Scan does not hurt of course, but they inject into your IV Contrast.  That stuff makes you have a hot rush all over your body and you may feel like you just peed your pants (but you didnt). I thought I peed all over the place and the tech just laughed and said that was normal.  

While you are being scanned, a computer voice tells you when to breathe in and out. Its not that bad at all.