What Does My CT Scan Indicate?

Posted on Mon, 15 Dec 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 15 Dec 2014 Answered on

Sat, 10 Jan 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Taking into account all the medical symptoms I am having referenced in the last question. My doctor has ordered a CT scan with contrast. What is he looking for with the CT scan?

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
CT scan features to be looked for in Crohns is mentioned below

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in detail.
The earlier symptoms might relate to irritable bowel syndrome and with particular emphasis on Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

CT examination can be carried out with both intravenous and intraluminal contrast (positive or negative) in suspected Crohn's disease to assess the following
(i) bowel wall enhancement (shows vascularity and inflammation)
(ii) bowel wall thickening (1-2 cm) which is most frequently seen in the terminal ileum (end of the small intestine)
(iii) strictures and fistulae in the bowels
(iv) mesenteric or intra-abdominal abscess or pus formation
(v) the liver and perianal region can also be assessed with CT scan.

Conditions other than Crohn's having similar symptoms can also be made out. These include ulcerative colitis which causes features like inflammatory pseudopolyps, abnormal thinning of the bowel, thickening of the perirectal fat.

Diverticuli and polyps can also be seen should it be present.

Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar