CT of the pelvis (without contrast)

Pelvic tomography

A paper referral from a doctor is required to take the test.

A computed tomography of the pelvis involves taking several pictures using X-rays. The patient lies down on a special table which slides to the inside of the machine, into the gantry.

Once the patient is inside the gantry, an X-ray generating lamp is rotated around the patient’s body on a special frame. Passing through particular tissues of the patient’s body, the radiation becomes weaker. The degree of radiation depends on the type of tissue is has to pass through, e.g. through the bones, the X-ray wave is severely weakened, whilst when passing through air – the X-ray’s weakening degree is at a minimum.

This phenomenon makes it possible to precisely differentiate between the particular tissues in the patient’s body. Moreover, the X-ray lamp installed in the gantry, rotating around the patient’s body, illuminates every single point along its longitudinal axis, thereby providing the opportunity to obtain images of the selected layer of the patient’s body on a screen.

The images obtained after each rotation of the lamp around the patient’s body (360°) are then summed up by a computer and displayed on a monitor as an image of anatomical structures from the particular transverse layers of the patient’s body.There is an additional option of the so-called secondary image processing, which involves setting and calculating the grey scale of the image, as well as measuring distances, surface areas, etc.). It is also possible to reconstruct the image in a plane other than the transverse one (e.g. the frontal plane) or even in three-dimensional pictures.

During the examination, the patient must not move to guarantee clear and sharp images. It is also important to remove all metal items from clothes and body, which might otherwise affect the quality of the images obtained.

Indications for the CT scan of the pelvis:

A CT scan of the pelvis makes it possible to assess the anatomical structures located in the pelvis. It is very common for the pelvis to be scanned in conjunction with the abdominal cavity. The basic indication for a pelvic CT scan is the suspicion and assessment of the course of neoplastic processes. Additionally, it is performed in the following cases:

• enlargement of pelvic lymph nodes;
• assessment of the extent of metastases from reproductive organs to neighbouring organs;
• assessment of the extent of the neoplastic process in the prostate gland and the potential expansion to neighbouring organs;
• imaging of renal calcification, deposits and haematomas;
• detection of solid and cystoid lesions in the kidneys.

IMPORTANT! In the case where the patient wishes to have the CT scan of the abdominal cavity and the pelvis performed in conjunction, it is necessary to book a single time slot for each, so that both examinations take place one after the other.

A Damian Medical Center consultant will call you within 24 hours of purchase to arrange a specific test date.

Please, bring a medical prescription and confirmation of payment for the examination.

Preparation for the CT scan of the pelvis

A paper referral from a doctor is required to take the test.

• Patients intending to have the CT scan performed should have a relevant medical prescription in paper form. Patients are also requested to bring any previous medical documentation (CT, ultrasound, X-ray and MRI scans, hospital discharge reports and outpatient treatment reports). It is necessary to arrive early (approx. 15-20 minutes) before the examination at the reception desk (level -1) in order to fill in a mandatory form concerning the patient’s health (diseases, drug use, allergies, physiological condition, injuries, past surgeries).

The type and scope of the examination is ultimately determined by the radiologist supervising the examination – the radiologist, therefore ultimately decides whether to administer the contrast agent or not, or whether the examination should encompass a particular body part or a different one, or – for example, two at a time. In such cases, an extra payment may be required.

Contraindications to the CT scan of the pelvis

A paper referral from a doctor is required to take the test.

The CT scan of the pelvis is contraindicated during pregnancy or a suspected pregnancy, because the radiation may adversely affect the health of the foetus. Moreover, it should be borne in mind that CT scans may be performed only in medically justified cases, because to frequent exposure to X-rays may negatively affect the patient’s health.

Therefore, the CT scan is performed only upon presenting a medical prescription (valid for 3 months) on the examination day in paper form.