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Diagnostic Radiology (Expert Forum)
CT scan reading question
Answered by
Anna Beattie, M.D. - Radiology
National Health Service
Edinburgh - United Kingdom
Questions in the Diagnostic Radiology forum cover topics including body imaging, bone scans, breast imaging, CT scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), MRA, NMR, ultrasound, and x-rays.
CT scan reading question
by Bobble, Jun 16, 2008 11:10AM
6 weeks ago, I had a sharp pain in the right lower side of the abdomen which lasted about
2 or 3 days, then went away on its own and has not bothered me since.
My doctor ordered: 1) abdominal ultrasound - result normal; 2) abdominal/pelvic CT scan
w/contrast - result "thickening in the cecum region". WHAT DOES THAT MEAN ?
I am now scheduled for colonoscopy but the doctor does not explain anything.
Other than some discomfort from adhesions ( previous surgeries: appendectomy,
laparotomy/fibroid cyst right ovary, hysterectomy) I have no complaints. I am 80 yrs.
of age and otherwise in good health.
Would you PLEASE help me to understand. Thank you.
2 or 3 days, then went away on its own and has not bothered me since.
My doctor ordered: 1) abdominal ultrasound - result normal; 2) abdominal/pelvic CT scan
w/contrast - result "thickening in the cecum region". WHAT DOES THAT MEAN ?
I am now scheduled for colonoscopy but the doctor does not explain anything.
Other than some discomfort from adhesions ( previous surgeries: appendectomy,
laparotomy/fibroid cyst right ovary, hysterectomy) I have no complaints. I am 80 yrs.
of age and otherwise in good health.
Would you PLEASE help me to understand. Thank you.
Doctor's Answer
by Anna Beattie, M.D., Jun 16, 2008 09:50PM
, Jun 16, 2008 09:50PM
THe caecum is a region of the intestine at the start of the large bowel. Neither ultrasound nor a standard CT scan of the abdomen/pelvis are optimal at imaging the colon. There can be many causes of thickening such as bowel muscle contraction, inflammation including infection or cancer. The colonoscopy will allow direct visulisation of the bowel wall and if necessary biopsies can be performed.
