CT Scan question!! Worried :(

[Sea_Star]

Of course the day of my CT abdomen-pelvis my colon decides to have company lol. They had me walk around and repeat to try and get the contrast/barium down further, since I hadn't had a BM in the last couple days. Can diverticulitis and abscesses, etc still be seen even if there was (pardon the details lol) poop in the way?

Worried it won't be that accurate It was done with and without Iodine. They should tell patients to have a liquid diet!

 

[theOcean]

Abscesses can be seen by MRI better than by CT I think. Maybe you could get an MRI if this is inconclusive?

 

[valleysangel92]

Generally soft tissue shows better in MRI scans so as theOcean says this might be an option if the results aren't conclusive.

CTs still have some use if contrast doesn't work well enough, since they are used in emergencies when there wouldn't be time for the patient to drink it. How useful it would be for things such as diverticulitis is something im not sure of.

I've had a CT while constipated too, and it came back clear enough for the doctors to see what they needed to. I'd been on IV only for a few days as well so I don't think asking for a liquid diet would avoid this in all cases either.

If the test is inconclusive then my advice would be to ask for an MRI next.

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

I agree with Ocean and Valleysangel about getting an MRI if the CT is inconclusive. My GI described it to me this way - CT gets a decent "overall" picture (like of the entire abdomen) and sees bony tissue better than soft tissue. MRI gets a good detailed "close up" picture of one organ (like your colon or small intestine) and sees soft tissue better. An added benefit of MRI is that it doesn't expose you to raditation the way that CT scans do. So definitely something to ask about if you don't get clear results from this CT.