Abdomen
Hints in General
•Topogram: TOP, 512.
•Patient positioning:
Patient lying in supine position, arms positioned comfortably above the head in the
•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 impor- tant 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
Start exam 5 minutes after the 4th cup is adminis- tered.
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