CT scan of the liver, kidneys, adrenal glands

CT of kidneys, adrenal capsules and liver is a high-informative and non-invasive instrumental examination technique that has grown in popularity nowadays.

How is the examination performed?

This type of diagnostics is based on the various degree of absorption of X-rays with tissues of different density. Special high-technology devices, multi-spiral tomographs, are used for the diagnostics. The data received undergo complicated computed processing in the result of which a doctor obtains layer-by-layer images of the internal structure of the organs.

CT of abdominal organs allows for revealing of some pathological changes that are impossible to determine during the common X-ray examination. The procedure does not require much time and is absolutely painless.

Computerized tomography of the liver, when the iodine-containing contrast agent is injected intravenously, may be recommended to a patient to obtain the sharpest image where the smallest details are visible. In this case, the scanning is performed consequently several times.

During the layer-by-layer diagnostics the patient’s body undergoes a certain radiation exposure. The exposure dose is not high and does not afflict damage to health. Nevertheless, the examination should be performed only when there are clear indications for that.

CT of liver: indications and performing patterns

Liver is the very powerful biochemical laboratory that takes part in digestion, destruction of toxins, synthesis of many substances. This is one of the biggest organs, but its cells have no nerve terminals, that is why almost all liver pathologies are not accompanied with pain at early stages.

Indirect signs of development of a disease and the necessity to perform the computerized tomography of liver may be as follows:

organ enlargement;
feeling of weight in the right subcostal area;
nausea, metallic taste or bitter flavor in the mouth.

CT of liver is also prescribed in the following cases:

injuries of abdominal organs;
obstructive jaundice;
suspected neoformations;
local inflammations;

development of thrombosis or other circulatory disturbances in this part of the body;
impossibility to perform ultrasound or MRI;
necessity to monitor the recovery dynamics after a surgical intervention.

Preparation for the procedure:

A patient should not eat 4 hours before the examination. A light breakfast is allowed if the procedure is performed in the afternoon.

Characteristics of kidney diagnostics

Kidneys are the center of the excretory system. “Shutdown” of this organ inalterably causes significant deterioration in the condition of a patient and sometimes death. Unfortunately, a host of pathological processes at various stages of their development are not recognized with the common diagnostic techniques, and MRI can be applied not for all the patients.

That is why nowadays the CT examination of kidneys is prescribed in the following cases:

when a pathology is first identified;
to specify the determined diagnosis;
to assess the dynamics of development of the disease and the efficiency of the actual treatment.

Indications for CT of kidneys are as follows:

various organ malformations;
macrohematuria (blood in the urine) of undetermined origin;
kidney diseases of inflammatory origin;

suspected neoformations in kidneys and adrenal capsules;
urolithiasis (stones) of unspecified localization;
lymphadenopathy of the retroperitoneal space;
a sharp decrease in functional activity of one or both kidneys.

Preparation for the procedure:

The procedure does not require special preparation. An exception is the examination with a contrast agent when a patient should not eat 4 hours before the procedure.

CT of adrenal capsules: indications, price, preparation for the examination

Adrenal capsules are small but very important organs producing hormones actively involved in the regulation of many processes and the development of the human reproductive system. Endocrinologist, general practitioner or oncologist can refer to the CT of adrenal capsules.

Clear indications for computerized tomography with or without contrast enhancement are as follows:

suspected development of a neoformation (benign or malignant);
organ malformations;
laboratory test results that confirm the hyperfunction (increased secretory activity).

Preparation for the procedure:

Preparation for the CT of adrenal capsules is the same as for the tomography of other abdominal organs. During the procedure a patient is laid on a special extending table, his/her body is fixed with belts and moved into the tomograph camera. The procedure does not exceed half an hour. A patient should not move during the examination.

Computerized tomography

Magnetic resonance imaging