CT Abdomen Preparations

Your Doctor has requested that you have a CT scan for your abdomen and/or pelvis.

Preparation for your scan
Please do not have anything to eat or drink for 4 hours prior to your appointment time. Please tell the receptionist when you book if you may be pregnant.

Full Oral Preparation - You will be given 2 sachets when booking. These sachets contain a liquid which will outline the bowel for your scan. The first sachet is mixed with 200mls of water and drunk one and a half hours prior to your scan. The second sachet is drunk one hour prior to arrival at Hamilton Radiology, a final sachet will be given you to drink just before your scan.

The CT itself:
You will be asked to lie on a table, and a series of special x-rays will be taken of your abdomen and/or pelvis. This usually takes 20 to 30 minutes and is quite painless. It is perfectly safe.

Sometimes the Doctor will wish to give you an injection of contrast, which shows up on x-rays. This will usually involve an injection into one of the veins in your hand or arm. The media will pass out through the kidneys.

After the procedure you may leave immediately. You can eat or drink normally. It is quite safe for you to drive. Please see CT-Computerised tomography.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about this examination