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Uterine Fibroids

If you are having a Uterine Artery Embolization prior to your surgery, download these Patient Instructions:
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Nearly thirty five percent of premenopausal women experience debilitating symptoms related to uterine fibroids. These symptoms include heavy menstrual bleeding, severe cramping, urinary frequency and pelvic pain. While these symptoms are not life threatening, they can be debilitating to the average woman and result in missed work, severe anemia and hospitalization.

Interventional Radiology provides a less invasive outpatient treatment option for patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids that provides symptomatic relief without the need for hospitalization or surgery.

For more information regarding causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options, see below.
For additional information regarding uterine fibroids, visit this page on the Society of Interventional Radiology Website.
For more information regarding minimally invasive surgical options, click here.
For more information regarding Interventional Radiology, click here.

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CT Scan of the Abdomen

(Abdominal CT)

by Editorial Staff And Contributors

En Español (Spanish Version)

Definition | Reasons for Test | Possible Complications | What to Expect | Call Your Doctor

Definition

A CT scan is a type of x-ray. It uses a computer to make pictures of the inside of the body. In this case, images of the abdomen are taken.

CT Scan at Kidneys

Reasons for Test

A CT scan is done to study the organs and tissue in your abdomen. Your doctor will look for signs of:

Injury
Tumors
Infections
Other diseases

Your doctor may recommend an abdominal CT scan if you have the following symptoms:

Abdominal pain
Bowel changes
Blood in urine or stool
Urinary difficulties
Jaundice (yellow skin)
Weight loss
Unexplained fever
Abdominal injury
Fluid buildup in the abdomen

Possible Complications

Sometimes a chemical called contrast is used to help improve the pictures. Complications with contrast are rare but some can have an allergic reaction or kidney problems.

A CT scan does use radiation. You and your doctor will weigh the harms and benefits of this test. A CT scan may not be advised if you are pregnant.

Be sure to discuss these risks with your doctor before the test.

What to Expect

Your doctor may tell you to:

Avoid eating or drinking anything for four hours before the test if contrast will be used.
Remove any metal objects, such as jewelry, hearing aids, or dentures..

Sometimes contrast is necessary. It helps make certain organs and tissue easier to see in pictures. It is often given by mouth in a drink. Other times, it will be injected into a vein. Other times it is delivered by an enema.

You will be positioned on a special moving table. The table will move slowly through the CT scanner. You will need to stay still during the entire test. As the scanner takes pictures, you will hear humming and clicking. The technician will ask you to hold your breath at certain points. This will help get a clear picture. You will be able to talk to the technician with an intercom.

If you had contrast, you may be told to drink extra fluid. This will flush the contrast from your body.

About 30 minutes

You may feel flushed if you received contrast. You may notice a salty or metallic taste in your mouth. You may also feel nauseated.

The CT images will be sent to a radiologist who will analyze them. Your doctor will receive the results and discuss them with you.

Call Your Doctor

If you are given contrast, call your doctor if any of the following occurs after the test:

Hives
Itching
Nausea
Swollen, itchy eyes
Tightness of throat
Difficulty breathing

In case of an emergency, call for medical help right away.

American Cancer Society

http://www.cancer.org

Radiological Society of North America

http://www.radiologyinfo.org

Canadian Association of Radiologists

http://www.car.ca

Canadian Radiation Protection Association

http://www.crpa-acrp.ca

CT—Abdomen and Pelvis. Radiological Society of North America Radiology Info website. Available at: http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=abdominct. Updated May 15, 2012. Accessed March 28, 2013.

CT scan. Mayo Clinic website. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ct-scan/MY00309. Updated March 23, 2012. Accessed October 15, 2007.

Positron Emission Tomography - Computed Tomograpy (PET/CT). Radiology Info.org website. Available at: http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=PET. Updated April 24, 2012. Accessed March 28, 2013.

Rydberg J, Buckwalter KA, et al. Multisection CT: scanning techniques and clinical applications. Radiographics. 2000; 20:1787.

Last reviewed February 2013 by Brian Randall, MD

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.