Computed tomography (CT) of the stomach and small intestine

In diseases of the stomach and small intestine, computed tomography (CT) is an effective painless method for diagnosing the body. Thanks to CT, the doctor can detect defects and pathologies that are not visible with other studies. The tomograph analyzes the received data and generates a three-dimensional image, on which you can see not only pathological changes, but also their localization and size.

On 3D visualization in the form of a snapshot, clear intestinal reliefs, thickness and structural changes in the mucous epithelium are drawn. CT is prescribed for visual visualization of the affected organs, determination of foci of inflammation, tumors and other neoplasms in the stomach and small intestine.

Advantages and disadvantages of CT of the stomach and small intestine

With the help of computed tomography, specialists study the deepest parts of the intestines, stomach and other vital organs. This procedure helps to identify various hidden diseases in the early stages of their occurrence. CT allows you to detect pathologies at stages when symptoms have not yet appeared, and the disease has not passed into the chronic stage.

A tomograph with the broadest technical capabilities allows you to get a series of informative images and display them on the monitor screen. All images in the complex help the doctor to see a holistic picture of the disease that affected the intestines or stomach. All 3D images are stored on the computer, so the treating doctor can view them at any time.

The advantages of diagnostics using computed tomography are:

• detailed study and analysis of the structure, properties and parameters of the studied intestinal section;
• obtaining high-precision 3D images;
• fast and accurate finding of pathologies and anomalies in organs;
• control over pathologies and their impact on other tissues and organs;
• minimal exposure of the human body;
• painless procedure and the absence of any discomfort during the diagnosis.

Disadvantages of computed tomography:

• although in small quantities, the human body is irradiated, which adversely affects the patient’s well-being;
• it is forbidden to conduct research during pregnancy and lactation;
• people with a body weight of more than 200 kilograms should be diagnosed with organs only if the device is designed for such a weight.

Indications and contraindications for CT of the small intestine and stomach

A CT scan should be prescribed to a patient for a number of diseases and ailments: tumors, polyps, bleeding, severe abdominal pain, the appearance of blood clots in the stool, sudden weight loss, flatulence, and inflammatory processes. Also, an indication for examination with a tomograph is the inaccuracy of analyzes made by other methods, for example, conventional X-ray examination or magnetic resonance imaging.

Contraindications for CT of the stomach and small intestine:

• severe stage of diabetes;
• allergic reactions to medicines, which include iodine and barium;
• pregnancy and lactation period (you can breastfeed your baby at least a day after the study);
• renal and hepatic impairment;
• heart failure and coronary heart disease;
• a tumor in the bone marrow;
• dysfunction of the immune system;
• excessive fatigue, fatigue and lack of sleep;
• partial hearing loss or complete deafness.

If the patient has an increase or decrease in blood pressure before the procedure, there are complaints about the state of health, this should be reported to the doctor immediately.

Preparation for CT

Preparation for the procedure should be carried out in advance and in several stages. 3 days before the CT scan, you need to give up flour, fatty and fried foods. Beans and other foods that increase the process of gas formation should also be avoided. Milk, fresh vegetables, fruits and fragrant freshly baked buns should be removed from the diet for a while.

Before the examination, the patient is given an enema. If the patient refuses the enema, a laxative may be prescribed. The last meal should be at least 6-8 hours before the time when the CT scan will be performed.

It is recommended to conduct a study on an empty stomach, this will reduce the activity of peristalsis of the small intestine. Examination on an empty stomach and intestines several times improves the quality of images and improves visualization.

If a specialist will do a CT scan with the addition of an iodine-containing contrast agent, it is advisable to do an allergy test before this in order to avoid the occurrence of allergic and other adverse reactions.

If, however, the patient has bloating before diagnosis, you should drink Espumizan, black activated charcoal or another enterosorbent. No-shpa will help relieve spasms during CT. Before scanning on a tomograph, you need to empty your bladder.

Features of the diagnosis

The stages of a CT scan of the stomach and small intestine are not difficult, but must be followed in a clear sequence.

You need to come to the procedure 10-15 minutes before it starts, before that you need to remove all metal jewelry and the belt. Entering the office, the patient exposes the desired area of ​​the body and lies down on a special table on the stomach, side or back. Hands should be thrown behind the head (if necessary, the specialist can fix the body with straps to avoid unnecessary body movements).

A tube is inserted into the anus to a depth of 5 centimeters, through which the intestines are filled with air. An electric pump can be used to fill the small intestine with carbon dioxide. Filling the intestines with air is necessary for its straightening and smoothing of folds and folds.

The table with the patient is fed into the scanner. At this time, the patient should not breathe (breath holding for 10-15 seconds). When holding the breath, pictures are taken. Next, the table leaves from under the scanner and the patient turns over. Then the table is again fed under the scanner and a similar manipulation is carried out. When the patient lies on his side, the stomach is examined and its condition, size and other parameters are determined.

The tube is removed only at the end of the procedure. The duration of the diagnosis is from 20 to 30 minutes. With the help of CT, the thickness of the walls of the small intestine is measured, and the pathologies found in the stomach are assessed.

Enterography with contrast agent

Computed tomography with contrast (also called enterography) is most often performed to diagnose cancer, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. These diseases are difficult to study by other non-invasive methods.

Iodine-containing contrast is given intravenously before the CT scan. After a few minutes, the substance is distributed throughout the body and makes visualization more clear and effective. The contrast can be not only iodine, but also barium. A solution with barium is drunk 20 minutes before the start of the procedure. Further, the diagnostic steps are fully observed.

The results of the examination of the stomach and small intestine

The results of CT are deciphered by a doctor of functional diagnostics or the attending doctor. The images must be shown to the specialist who referred the patient for this procedure.

If the patient still has complaints, but the pictures showed that there are no pathologies, the therapist may prescribe another alternative method for examining the body, for example, endoscopy.

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