Pelvic And Abdominal Computerized Axial Tomography

What you should know

• A computerized axial tomography scan is also called a CT scan or a CAT scan. A pelvic CT scan takes pictures of your pelvis (the area between your hips). An abdominal CT takes pictures of your abdomen. A CT scan uses x-rays to look at bones, muscles, body organs, and blood vessels. Your caregiver may do a CT scan of your abdomen and your pelvis at the same time.
  
  
• Your caregiver may look for causes of pain in your pelvis or abdomen. You may need a CT scan to show if you have a broken bone, such as your hip. A CT scan may help your caregiver find out about a medical problem or disease. Your caregiver may use your CT results to help plan treatment, which may help you heal. Your caregiver also may use a CT scan to show problems caused by your condition, disease, or treatment.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Risks

• A CT scan may not show all of the medical problems in your pelvis or abdomen. The contrast used in a CT scan may cause itching, a rash, or a headache. You may feel nauseous (sick to your stomach) or vomit (throw up). If you have diabetes, your risk of having kidney damage will increase if contrast is used. If you are female and pregnant, a CT scan may cause problems with your unborn baby. You may have an allergy to the contrast, which may cause trouble breathing. X-rays from the CT scan may damage organs in your body and may increase your risk of cancer. You may die from some of these problems.
  
  
• If you do not have a CT scan, your caregiver may not be able to learn about a medical problem. Your caregiver may not know if your treatment is working. If a medical problem is not found or treated, it may get worse and you may die. Talk to your caregiver if you have questions or concerns about your CT scan or medical problems.

Getting Ready

Before your procedure:

• Ask your caregiver if you need to stop using aspirin or any other prescribed or over-the-counter medicine before your procedure or surgery.
  
  
• Bring your medicine bottles or a list of your medicines when you see your caregiver. Tell your caregiver if you are allergic to any medicine. Tell your caregiver if you use any herbs, food supplements, or over-the-counter medicine.
  
  
• Ask caregivers about directions for eating and drinking.
  
  
• Your caregiver will ask you about your health problems, such as asthma or allergies. Tell your caregiver you have diabetes (high blood sugar) and problems with your liver or kidneys. If you are female, tell your caregiver if you know or think you may be pregnant. You may need to have blood taken for tests before your CT scan. Ask your caregiver for more information about tests that you may need. Write down the date, time, and location of each test.
  
  
• Your caregiver may want you to take certain medicines before your CT scan. Steroid medicine may help open your air passages so you can breathe easier. It also may be given to decrease inflammation (swelling). Antihistamine medicine may be given to decrease itching. It also may help you be less likely to have an allergic reaction.

The day of your procedure:

• Write down the correct date, time, and location of your procedure.
  
  
• You or a close family member will be asked to sign a legal document called a consent form. It gives caregivers permission to do the procedure or surgery. It also explains the problems that may happen, and your choices. Make sure all your questions are answered before you sign this form.

• Caregivers may insert an intravenous (IV) tube into your vein. A vein in the arm is usually chosen. Through the IV tube, you may be given liquids and medicine. Your caregiver may give you medicine to help you relax.
  
  
• Your caregiver may give you contrast before your CT scan. Contrast is a dye that helps the pictures show up on your CT scan. If contrast will be used for your CT scan, it may be given through your IV or as a drink. Your caregiver also may give your contrast through your nose or rectum (anus).

Treatment

What will happen:

You may be told to change into a hospital gown and remove all metal objects. Your caregiver will ask you to lie on your back on the table. If you have contrast, pictures may be taken before and after the contrast is given. You must lie still during your CT scan. You may be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds as pictures are taken. The CT table will move through the hole in the middle of the machine. You will hear clicking sounds as the machine takes pictures. When the CT scan is finished, the table will move out of the hole in the middle of the machine.

After your procedure:

Do not get off of the table until your caregiver says it is okay. Your caregiver may give you fluids in an IV or as a drink. When your caregiver sees that you are okay, you may be able to go home. If your caregiver wants you to stay in the hospital, you will be taken to your hospital room.

Waiting area:

This is an area where your family and friends can wait until you are able to have visitors. Ask your visitors to provide a way to reach them if they leave the waiting area.

Contact a caregiver if

• You cannot make it to your CT scan on time.
  
  
• You have new pain in your abdomen or pelvis.
  
  
• You urinate very little.
  
  
• You have new blood in your urine.
  
  
• You have new blood in your bowel movements.

Seek Care Immediately if

• You are unable to urinate.
  
  
• You have very bad pain that does not go away, even after taking medicine to decrease it.
  
  
• If you are female, you have new bleeding from your vagina that does not stop, even when not menstruating (having your monthly period).

Learn more about Pelvic And Abdominal Computerized Axial Tomography (Precare)