If endoscopic and colonoscopic examination does not provide the doctor with all the necessary information, a CT scan of the stomach and intestines is prescribed. This is a completely painless procedure that provides the most accurate information about the state of internal organs. Stomach CT results are provided digitally or recorded in 3D. Thus, a specialist can view the picture as many times as required, and this can be done from different angles. A very informative diagnostic method, and it's hard to argue with that.
What is CT?
Before the advent of computed tomography, doctors used endoscopy or x-rays to diagnose gastrointestinal diseases. A CT scan of the stomach is performed using X-rays, and, therefore, the patient's body is exposed to radiation. But unlike X-ray, the image is obtained not two, but three-dimensional, which is more informative and convenient whendiagnostics.
The essence of the method is the execution of a series of successive images of the area of interest to the doctor. They are made in different projections, as a result of which a single three-dimensional picture is created. The doctor can study the images separately, considering sections of organs up to 1 mm.
When needed?
Any pathology and inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract leads to malfunctions in the human body, while the patient experiences various uncomfortable conditions, and in some cases pain. Stomach CT is indicated for the following symptoms:
- pain in the epigastric region;
- heartburn;
- nausea and vomiting;
- skin rashes;
- sour belching or painful belching of air;
- weight loss;
- intestinal disorders accompanied by pain;
- pain in the rectum;
- constipation and diarrhea.
What does CT show?
What does stomach CT show? With the help of this study, it is possible to assess the state of all layers of the organ - serous, muscular, submucosal and mucous. During the study, the specialist receives information about changes in the thickness of the stomach, its elasticity and folding. In addition, defects and seals can be visualized, which may indicate focal pathology. With the help of CT of the stomach, ailments are diagnosed that are characterized by a narrowing of the lumen of the organ - stenosis,structures.
Also, this study is mandatory prescribed in the presence of neoplasms - both benign and malignant. At the same time, the size of the tumor is clearly defined, how much it has grown into the walls of the organ, as well as its invasiveness in relation to other organs.
If necessary, the scope of the study can be expanded - other organs of the abdominal region are involved - the pancreas, liver, spleen, intestines. Such an expansion of CT scans in gastric cancer can provide a lot of additional information to the doctor. For example, about metastasis to regional lymph nodes or neighboring organs.
Depending on what CT of the stomach shows, the doctor can make the most accurate diagnosis and prescribe the optimal treatment regimen.
Contraindications
Such a study has a number of contraindications. CT of the esophagus, stomach and intestines is not performed in the following cases:
- overweight;
- fear of closed space is a relative contraindication, since you can find an open-type tomograph;
- prosthetic heart valve;
- cochlear implant;
- insulin pump;
- large-sized metal prostheses - bolts, plates;
- pregnancy;
- Children's age up to 18 years. At an earlier age, this diagnostic method is advisable only if there are strong indications;
CT of the stomach with contrast is notcarried out during breastfeeding, as well as in the presence of thyroid diseases or in case of individual intolerance to an iodine-containing contrast agent.
Preparation
In order for the results of the study to be reliable and more informative, it is necessary to properly prepare for the procedure. If the doctor prescribes a CT scan of the stomach to the patient, he will definitely say that before the study you can neither eat nor drink, that is, the diagnosis is carried out on an empty stomach. The last meal and water before the examination should be at least 5 hours before. For patients who must take the medicine at this time, it is recommended to drink it with a small amount of clean water.
When coming to the CT procedure, it is advisable to bring the results of previous studies, such as X-ray, ultrasound or gastroscopy.
A few days before the study is recommended:
- Reduce foods that can increase gas.
- Take a sorbent (activated carbon) to reduce the amount of gases.
No other CT preparation needed.
CT with contrast, PET and helical CT
Used for CT scan with contrast agent:
- iodine-based preparation;
- an inert gas that spreads the stomach walls.
Iodine preparations are used when it is necessary to look at the vessels of an organ or detect neoplasms,pneumoscanning (use of an inert gas) makes it possible to obtain more clear signs of pathology, since the folding of the organ walls decreases.
PET / CT of the stomach is a positron emission tomography, which is currently used to detect gastric cancer infrequently, as there are safer diagnostic methods. To conduct this study, a radiopharmaceutical is administered intravenously to the patient, after which the patient must lie in the relaxation room for about an hour so that the active substance is evenly distributed throughout the body. Then the doctor performs the examination procedure, and the patient can go home. The radiopharmaceutical will be excreted from the body within 2 days.
Spiral CT is a scan that is performed while rotating the table with the patient. Thus, the study area increases, the examination time decreases, which means that the radiation load on the body decreases.
How is the procedure performed?
Despite the fact that the procedure is performed using X-rays, the radiation is small, and there is practically no harm to the body.
Before the CT scan of the stomach cavity, the doctor asks the patient to remove outer clothing and all metal objects that fall into the scanning area. Then the patient is placed on his back on the sliding table of the apparatus. During the examination, you should keep a stationary position of the body and do everything that the doctor says. The procedure causes absolutely no discomfort, and takes about 15 minutes, with a CT scan with contrast, it will take half an hour.
What diseasesbeing diagnosed?
Diseases and pathologies that are diagnosed using CT can be very different:
- benign and malignant neoplasms;
- polyps;
- strictures;
- stenoses.
If a specialist does not see any pathology when examining the stomach, he can examine nearby organs.
CT is not performed for gastric ulcer, in this case an MRI is prescribed.
Possible consequences
If a CT scan is performed with contrast, the patient may experience intestinal upset, as well as some failure in the digestive system. This lasts a short period of time, and very soon the functioning of the stomach is fully restored.
In case of intolerance to the contrast medium, there may be:
- facial swelling;
- laryngeal edema - shortness of breath;
- sore throat;
- skin itching;
- nausea and vomiting;
- bronchospasm;
- drop in blood pressure.
Advantages and disadvantages of the method
The main advantage of the method is the detection of pathology in the early stages of development, when the characteristic symptoms of the disease have not yet appeared and the disease has not taken on a chronic form. Computed tomography is an opportunity to examine the studied organ in detail, as well as to determineexact localization of the focus of pathology.
The advantage of CT is painlessness, speed, lack of long and complicated preparation, obtaining clear images that provide the specialist with maximum information.
The disadvantage of the procedure is the impossibility of carrying out the procedure in relation to patients whose weight exceeds 150 kg. However, there are currently models of tomographs that provide the opportunity to examine patients with a large weight.
CT is not performed for gastric ulcers, as this can provoke complications in the form of bleeding or perforation of the organ.
In addition, although in small amounts, the study uses radiation that can adversely affect human he alth, so it is not given to pregnant and lactating women.
Which is better, CT or MRI?
Many are interested in the question - which is better - CT or MRI of the stomach? We must start with the fact that these are fundamentally different methods. If CT is performed using X-rays, then MRI is the effect of a magnetic field that leads to a change in hydrogen atoms in the body, so MRI has limitations in use.
CT - Benefits:
- reveals mucosal lesions and polyps;
- effective in the presence of large neoplasms;
- visualizes abnormalities that occur outside of the stomach and intestines;
- diagnoses oncological processes at early stages.
CT - disadvantages:
radiation exposure.
MRI Benefits:
- allows you to assess the degree of parietal and transmural lesions;
- visualizes the localization of pathology;
- diagnoses fistulas.
MRI - disadvantages:
Insufficient accuracy in inflammatory processes.
Consequently, the doctor chooses the research option depending on what exactly needs to be paid special attention.
CT is prescribed to detect neoplasms, the presence of metastases, hematomas and bleeding, to monitor internal structures after surgery.
MRI is prescribed to detect abnormalities of the internal organs and vascular network of the organ, to detect foreign bodies in the large intestine.
Data decryption
It is impossible to decipher the results of the study on your own. Therefore, after the images are in the hands of the patient, he must re-contact the doctor who sent him to the CT scan.
Based on the results obtained, a specialist can assess the condition of the stomach, as well as detect:
- new growths;
- vascular pathology;
- liver pathology;
- cystic neoplasms;
- stones in the gallbladder;
- intestinal inflammation;
- presence of foreign bodies;
- increaselymph nodes;
- obstruction of the intestines or bile ducts;
- Metastasis to other organs.
If a CT scan reveals that there is a large amount of gas in the stomach cavity, the doctor may diagnose a stomach ulcer.
How often can I have the procedure?
Frequent CT is not recommended. This is due to the use of x-rays in the study. In order not to exert a high radiation load on the body, CT of the stomach is performed no more than 3 times a year. If more frequent examination is necessary, it is recommended to use more gentle methods - ultrasound, gastroscopy, colonoscopy, and so on.
You can undergo a CT scan in the clinic and in private medical centers where the necessary equipment is available. As for the price of this diagnostic procedure, it differs not only from the research method, but also from the clinic. According to rough estimates, CT of the abdominal cavity can cost from 3,500 to 4,000 rubles, and CT with a contrast agent costs from 5,000 rubles. Of course, the study cannot be called cheap, but given the quality of the diagnosis, it is not difficult to choose between money and he alth.
