CT angiography - abdomen and pelvis

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…

You need to have a special dye, called contrast, put into your body before some exams. Contrast helps certain areas show up better on the x-rays. Contrast can be given through a vein (IV) in your hand or forearm. If contrast is used, you also may be asked not to eat or drink anything for 4 to 6 hours before the test.…

Lying on the hard table may be a little bit uncomfortable. If you have contrast through a vein, you may have a: Slight burning sensation Metallic taste in your mouth Warm flushing of your body These feelings are normal and go away within a few seconds.

A CT angiography scan quickly makes detailed pictures of the blood vessels inside your belly or pelvis. This test may be used to look for: Abnormal widening or ballooning of part of an artery (aneurysm) The source of bleeding that starts in the intestines or elsewhere in the belly or pelvis Masses and tumors in the…

Results are considered normal if no problems are seen.

The abnormal results may show: The source of bleeding inside the belly or pelvis Narrowing of the artery that supplies the kidneys Narrowing of arteries that supply the intestines Narrowing of arteries that supply the legs Ballooning or swelling of an artery ( aneurysm ), including the aorta A tear in the wall of the…

Risks of CT scans include: Allergy to contrast dye Exposure to radiation Damage to kidneys from contrast dye CT scans expose you to more radiation than regular x-rays. Many x-rays or CT scans over time may increase your risk for cancer. However, the risk from any one scan is small. Talk to your provider about this…

Carucci LR. Diagnostic imaging procedures in gastroenterology. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine . 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 119. Singh MJ, Makaroun MS. Thoracic aortic aneurysms: endovascular treatment. In: Sidawy AN, Perler BA, eds. Rutherford's Vascular Surgery and…