Abdomen

Computer tomography (=CT) of the abdomen is either carried out to assess the entire abdominal cavity or only limited areas are x-rayed to assess individual organs. The computed tomography, as the examination is called, can be used to examine many organs in the abdominal cavity, for which several examinations would otherwise be necessary, or it makes it possible to assess whether further special examinations are required for certain organs. The examination of the entire abdominal cavity as an “overview” is often necessary to search for metastases in patients with tumours or to carry out an initial assessment of the tumour on the basis of which the therapy is later carried out.

The computer tomogram of the abdominal cavity is often used in this case to detect stomach carcinomas, pancreatic carcinomas, kidney or liver tumours. In addition, a computer tomogram of the abdominal cavity is also carried out for tumours that are not located in the abdominal cavity, as the daughter tumours are then often found in the abdominal cavity, in particular the lymph nodes and the liver. By assessing lymph nodes that are numerously present around the intestine and the large blood vessels such as the aorta, tumors of the lymph nodes such as Hodgkin’s tumor can often be diagnosed reliably.

Furthermore, computed tomography is of great importance in the assessment of the large blood vessels. The widespread disease arteriosclerosis affects almost all people. A CT can reveal the exact extent of calcification.

One of the emergency indications is the so-called “acute abdomen“. This term describes a situation with severe abdominal pain, which can be potentially life-threatening and should be clarified as soon as possible. In this case, computer tomography helps to get a good overview of what is happening in the abdomen very quickly.

With computed tomography it is sometimes necessary to give the patient a contrast medium before the examination, as contrast media can be used to better visualise structures in the body. The contrast medium can enter the body in different ways, depending on which organs are to be assessed. If the intestines are to be examined, the patient is given the contrast medium to drink before the examination.

For this purpose, a liquid containing the contrast medium is given to drink about half an hour before the examination. After half an hour the contrast medium has migrated through the digestive tract to the parts of the intestine that are to be examined. The last portion of contrast medium is then usually drunk on the examination couch directly before the examination.

If other organs of the abdominal cavity are to be examined, the contrast medium is often administered into the body through the vein. For this purpose, a so-called intravenous cannula is typically placed on the back of the hand or in the crook of the arm. This intravenous cannula consists of a needle over which a small plastic tube is placed.

The plastic tube is inserted into the vein with the needle with a small puncture similar to an inoculation. The needle is removed immediately and the plastic tube remains in the vessel. Through it you can then administer medication directly without having to make another puncture.

The contrast medium is then administered via this cannula. If the contrast medium is injected during the examination, people describe it as a brief sensation of warmth throughout the body, but it is almost harmless. However, there is a risk of allergy to the contrast medium. If such an allergy is already known to the person to be examined, it should be pointed out urgently or an emergency ID card should be carried!