264
Abdomen
General Hints
• Topogram: AP, 512.
• Patient positioning:
Patient lying in supine position, arms positioned
comfortably above the head in the head-arm rest,
lower legs supported.
• Patient respiratory instruction: inspiration.
• Oral administration of contrast medium:
For abdominal studies, it is necessary to delineate
the bowel from other structures such as lymph
nodes, abdominal masses & abscesses. Various types
of bowel opacifying agents can be used:
- Diluted barium suspension (1%–2%) e.g. EZCAT
- Water soluble agent (2%–4%) e.g. Gastrografin
- Water alone, as a negative contrast agent.
Timing of the oral contrast administration is important
to ensure its even distribution in the bowel.
Upper abdomen:
Minimum 600 ml of contrast divided into 3 cups
(approximately 200–250 ml)
1st cup to drink 30 minutes before exam
2nd cup to drink 15 minutes before exam
3rd cup to drink 5 minutes before exam
Abdomen-Pelvis:
Minimum 1000 ml of contrast divided into 4 cups
1st cup to drink 1hour before exam
2nd–4th cups every subsequent 15 minutes
Start exam 5 minutes after the 4th cup is administered.