If you have an abdominal mass found on ct scan, your doctor may recommend a CT scan to see the size of the mass and if it has impacted nearby organs. A CT scan uses X-rays and computers to produce images that show very thin “slices” of your bones, muscles, organs, and blood vessels. It can detect many different types of tissue, including cysts and masses. The images can help your doctor find out what the mass is, its location and size, whether it is solid or liquid, and what caused it (e.g., inflammation).
A CT scan shows more details than X-rays and can be used to diagnose cancer, certain types of noncancerous tumors, infection, some types of heart disease, and some bowel diseases such as blockages and Crohn’s. It can also detect some injuries, including head trauma. The procedure is safe and quick. A CT scan exposes you to more radiation than a regular X-ray but the amount of radiation is very small. The radiologist who reads your scan will discuss the results with you.
Before the scan, you may be asked to fast for a few hours. You should wear comfortable clothes and remove jewelry, dentures, and piercings (as these can interfere with the images). You will lie on a narrow table that slides into the scanner. You will hear clicking and whirring noises as the scan is done.
To improve the quality of the scan, you might be given a contrast dye. This can be swallowed as a drink, passed into your bowel through an enema, or injected directly into a blood vessel. The contrast dye appears white on the scan and can highlight certain tissues or blood vessels. You might be asked about any allergies to the contrast dye before it is used.
You will need to lie very still on the scan table. You might feel some pressure or tingling during the scan, but this is normal and will go away after a few seconds. A sedative might be given to help you relax. If you are claustrophobic, talk to the radiographer before your exam and ask about ways to make you feel more comfortable during the test. You might need to wear a gown, and you should bring your own hospital slippers if you need them.
The radiologist will use the pictures from your CT scan to identify any areas of concern and prepare a report for your doctor. This may include recommendations for further tests, procedures, or follow-up care. Generally, it takes 24 hours to get results from the scan. Your doctor will schedule an appointment to discuss them with you. If you have an emergency, the radiologist will review the images quickly and may be able to tell you your results within an hour. If the results are abnormal, your doctor will have a longer discussion with you to explain them.
