CT angiography - abdomen and pelvis
CT Angiography of Abdomen and Pelvis
CT angiography of abdomen and pelvis is a type of computed tomography (CT) scan that uses a contrast material to look for blood vessels in your abdomen and pelvis. The procedure allows your doctor to see details about the size, shape, and location of potential problems in your blood vessels.
Preparation for a CT Angiography of Abdomen and Pelvis
Before having one of these scans, you should speak with your doctor about any metal items in your body, such as aneurysm clips. Sometimes, these can distort the images created by a CT scan.
You may need to fast for 6–12 hours before your scan, depending on your doctor’s instructions. Let your doctor know ahead of time if you have a prior history of allergies to iodine-containing contrast materials.
Procedure for a CT Angiography of Abdomen and Pelvis
During the procedure, you lie on a table that slides through a CT scan machine. The machine rotates around you for several seconds and captures detailed images of the arteries and veins in your abdomen and pelvis.
Your doctor may inject a dye into your bloodstream through an IV. This dye helps highlight the blood vessels in your images.
The procedure itself takes about 10 minutes. Exact results, however, may take a few days to be available on the report.
Types of CT Angiography of Abdomen and Pelvis
- Helical CT Angiography: Helical CT scans rotate around you in a sweep, so that the slices are taken more quickly and the imaging is more detailed. You may hear your doctor refer to this as a “spiral CT.”
- Multidetector CT Angiography: Multidetector CT scans take images from several angles and in finer detail than a regular CT scan.
- Dual-Source CT Angiography: Dual-source CT scans take images with the help of two photon imaging sources. This type of scan is helpful in situations where an intravenous (IV) dye is not used.
Risks of a CT Angiography of Abdomen and Pelvis
CT angiography of the abdomen and pelvis is generally safe, but any time you’re exposed to radiation, there’s a risk of developing cancer down the line. The more times you have the procedure, the higher your risk.
There’s also a risk of side effects from the IV contrast dye. These can range from feeling flushed to anaphylaxis, a potential life-threatening reaction.
Why Do You Need a CT Angiography of Abdomen and Pelvis?
Your doctor may recommend this type of scan to check for and diagnose a variety of conditions, including:
- Aneurysm
- Polycystic kidney disease
- Congenital heart disease
- Peripheral artery disease
- Thoracic aortic aneurysm
- Arteriovenous malformation
- Atherosclerosis
When Might You Need a CT Angiography of Abdomen and Pelvis?
Your doctor might recommend this type of scan if:
- You have symptoms such as pain, discomfort, or tightness in your abdomen or pelvis.
- You have a family history of polycystic kidney disease or aneurysms.
- You’ve recently had a heart attack or stroke.
- You need to monitor a condition that affects your blood vessels.
- You need surgery related to your blood vessels.