Abdominal CT scan

Department of radiology

Submitted by,

AL AUF JALALUDEEN

Group: 308

An abdominal CT scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the belly area. CT stands for computed tomography.

How the Test is Performed You will lie on a narrow table that slides into the center of the CT scanner. Most

often, you will lie on your back with your arms raised above your head.

Once you are inside the scanner, the machine's x-ray beam rotates around you. Modern spiral scanners can perform the exam without stopping.

A computer creates separate images of the belly area. These are called slices. These images can be stored, viewed on a monitor, or printed on film. Three-dimensional models of the belly area can be made by stacking the slices together.

You must be still during the exam, because movement causes blurred images. You may be told to hold your breath for short periods of time.

Why the Test is Performed

An abdominal CT scan makes detailed pictures of the structures inside your belly (abdomen) very quickly.

This test may be used to look for:

Cause of abdominal pain or swelling

Hernia

Cause of a fever

Masses and tumors, including cancer

Infections or injury

Kidney stones

Appendicitis

What Abnormal Results Mean

The abdominal CT scan may show some cancers, including:

Cancer of the renal pelvis or ureter

Colon cancer

Hepatocellular carcinoma

Lymphoma

Melanoma

Ovarian cancer

Pancreatic cancer

Pheochromocytoma

Renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer)

Testicular cancer

The abdominal CT scan may show problems with the gallbladder, liver, or pancreas, including:

Acute cholecystitis

Alcoholic liver disease

Cholelithiasis

Pancreatic abscess

Pancreatic pseudocyst

Pancreatitis

Blockage of bile ducts

The abdominal CT scan may reveal the following kidney problems:

Acute bilateral obstructive uropathy

Acute unilateral obstructive uropathy

Chronic bilateral obstructive uropathy

Chronic unilateral obstructive uropathy

Complicated UTI (pyelonephritis)

Kidney stones

Kidney or ureter damage

Polycystic kidney disease

Abnormal results may also be due to:

Abdominal aortic aneurysm

Abscesses

Appendicitis

Bowel wall thickening

Retroperitoneal fibrosis

Renal artery stenosis

Renal vein thrombosis

Studying the CT image In this sequence of images, we will label the abdominal

vasculature. The CT images are 5mm slices with soft tissue window settings. IV and oral contrast have been administered which causes the vessels and GI tract to appear hyperdense (white). Some images will contain labels to assist with tracking the vessels.

IMAGES ARE VIEWED AS LOOKING FROM THE FEET

RIGHT LEFT

Follow the IV contrast filled Aorta as we descend caudally. Branches and pointsof interest will be noted.

Azygous Vein. Hemiazygous Vein

This is an excellent image of the right, middle and left hepatic veins draining into the InferiorVena Cava. Don’t confuse this structure with the IVC, this is the esophagus at the level of the

Lower esophageal sphincter, page up and down to confirm this.

The outline of the Inferior Vena Cava is more distinct in this image.

Portal Vein Branching into the Liver

Liver

Stomach

More portal vein branching into the liver lobes

Splenic Artery. Splenic Vein. Scroll up and downto confirm.

Spleen

Splenic Vein

Proper Hepatic Artery. Splenic VeinPortal vein

Adrenal

Glands

You can see the Celiac artery starting to branch from the Aorta. You can follow this down in the next four images

Proper Hepatic Artery is labeled in the upper right The splenicvein and artery are in the lower left

Proper Hepatic Artery and Splenic Artery (the splenic artery is the circle).

Splenic Vein

Here the Splenic Vein is emptying into the portal vein. Follow this up and down.

Pancreas

This is the Superior Mesenteric Artery branchingoff the Aorta.

Rt. and Lt.KidneysPancreas

Renal Veins emptying into the IVC. We also see the right renal artery branchingoff the Aorta, follow it down till you see it enter the right kidney. The Superior Mesenteric Vein is outlined on the top of this image. If you follow the SMV up,

youwill see it empty into the Portal Vein.

Here we see the right and left renal vein entering into the Inferior Vena Cava. WeAlso see the left renal artery branching off the aorta and heading toward the left

kidney. Page up and down to trace these vessels.

Superior Mesenteric Vein – follow it up as it joins the SplenicVein to form the Portal Vein

Transverse Colon Small Bowell

Note inferior mesenteric artery emerging from aortaInferior mesenteric vein extends cephalad to join smv.

Aorta bifurcates into common illiac arteriesAppendix is noted coiling in Rt. Lower quadrantNote air in lumen on adjacent scans

Psoas muscles

ABDOMINAL CYST

An abdominal CT scan revealed a large right upper quadrant cyst measuring 14x17x21 cm ( lateral, anteroposterior and craniocaudal)There was mass effect upon the liver and duodenum. The cyst had a thin smooth wall with internal fluid and high density material consistent with a blood clot.

RENAL CYST

                                                        

 

                                                       

                                                      

NO CONTRAST CONTRAST

HEPATOMEGALY

SPLENOMEGALY

DIVERTICULITS

ABDOMINAL ABSCESS

Psoas abscess (blue arrow), and abscess dissecting anteriorly in transversalis fascia.

BOWEL OBSTRUCTION

                                                                                        

                                                                                             

RENAL STONE

                                             

PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA

Pheochromocytoma is a tumor of the adrenal gland that causes excess release of epinephrine and norepinephrine, hormones that regulate heart rate and blood pressure

CIRRHOSIS

CHOLELITHIASIS

CHOLECYSTITIS

PANCREATIC CANCER

PANCREATITIS

ABDOMINAL ANEURYSM