What organs does a CT scan cover?
Asked by: Dr. Margot Goldner | Last update: September 21, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (9 votes)
- Chest (thorax) problems. A CT scan may find infection, lung cancer, a pulmonary embolism, and an aneurysm. ...
- Abdomen. ...
- Urinary tract. ...
- Liver. ...
- Pancreas. ...
- Gallbladder and bile ducts. ...
- Adrenal glands. ...
- Spleen.
What organs show up on a CT scan?
CT scans show the following organs: pancreas, liver, colon, and reproductive organs. An abdominal CT scan is usually looking for anything abnormal – anything that could be causing your symptoms.
What does a CT scan not show?
CT scan is only about 75% sensitive for gallstones. Gallstones often have the same density as bile, which makes them invisible on CT. Ultrasound is the best imaging modality for gallstones, with 96% accuracy, and should be used first to assess right upper quadrant pain.
Does a CT scan pick up everything?
While CT provides much more detail of damage and disease of internal organs, bones and blood vessels than some other imaging technologies, it can't show everything. Some types of cancer, for example, prostate cancer, uterine cancer and some liver cancers, may be harder to image using computed tomography.
What abdominal pain does not show up on a CT scan?
Examples of conditions that we would not diagnose on CT scan or ultrasound include viral infections ('the stomach flu'), inflammation or ulcers in the stomach lining, inflammatory bowel disease (such as Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis), irritable bowel syndrome or maldigestion, pelvic floor dysfunction, strains ...
What is a CT scan? | Ohio State Medical Center
What things can a CT scan miss?
Those studies found that the most frequent misses on the abdominal CT are in the vascular system (blood clots), the bowel, the musculoskeletal system, and the body wall.
Why is my stomach bloated and my back hurts?
Common causes include hormonal changes, back injuries, or gas. Rest and home remedies can often treat minor cases, but some causes of gas and back pain require medical assistance. Although back pain and bloating are fairly common symptoms, it is a good idea to see a doctor if they last more than a few days.
Why would a doctor order a CT scan instead of an MRI?
A CT scan may be recommended if a patient can't have an MRI. People with metal implants, pacemakers or other implanted devices shouldn't have an MRI due to the powerful magnet inside the machine. CT scans create images of bones and soft tissues.
What cancers can be seen on a CT scan?
With the help of your CT scan results, your healthcare provider can easily detect bladder, colorectal, kidney, ovarian, and stomach cancer.
Can you see arthritis on a CT scan?
Symptoms of osteoarthritis may arise before the degeneration can be seen on standard X-rays. For this reason, radiologists at Hospital for Special Surgery often use the more sensitive MRI, CT and ultrasound forms of imaging, which are superior for detecting early osteoarthritis.
What Cannot be diagnosed by CT scan?
Where MRI really excels is showing certain diseases that a CT scan cannot detect. Some cancers, such as prostate cancer, uterine cancer, and certain liver cancers, are pretty much invisible or very hard to detect on a CT scan.
Why don't doctors like to do CT scans?
CT scans' ionizing radiation can damage DNA and cause cancer. Scan overuse led to many national campaigns like Image Wisely, Image Gently and Choosing Wisely, which seek to educate patients and doctors about unnecessary tests, such as CT scans for headaches or back pain.
Would liver disease show up on a CT scan?
An ultrasound, CT scan and MRI can show liver damage. Checking a tissue sample. Removing a tissue sample, called a biopsy, from the liver may help diagnose liver disease.
Which organ is sensitive to CT scan?
For example, the breasts, thyroid, lungs, and bone marrow are more sensitive to radiation because the cells in those areas divide rapidly. Less-sensitive organs include the brain, where cells don't divide as quickly.
What is the most common reason for a CT scan?
Chronic back pain or an injury to the spine are among the most common reasons to have a CT scan. A doctor may also order a spinal CT scan to: Evaluate spinal fractures. Assess the condition of the spine before and after surgical procedures.
What cannot be seen in an abdominal CT scan?
CT scanning of the abdomen may not see gallstones well. Ultrasound is the best test for this. Doctors prefer alternate imaging techniques such as plain films, gastrointestinal (GI) contrast exams and ultrasound for evaluating acute abdominal conditions in babies, such as vomiting or blood in stool.
Does a CT scan show inflammation?
A CT scan will identify inflamed diverticula, bowel wall inflammation, pericolic fat stranding, and corresponding complications [9,10,11,83,87,88]. CT is capable of visualizing pericolonic and colonic complications which results in a more accurate diagnosis for the patient, along with better standard of care.
Do cancerous lymph nodes show up on a CT scan?
A CT scan combines many x-rays to make detailed, cross-sectional images of your body. This scan can help tell if any lymph nodes or organs in your body are enlarged. CT scans are useful for looking for lymphoma in the abdomen, pelvis, chest, head, and neck.
How much does a CT scan cost?
Average Cost of a CT scan in South Africa
A CT scan in South Africa could cost anywhere from R1,500 to R5,000 or more. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, we always recommend contacting your local radiology facilities or medical aid provider.
What diseases can a CT scan detect?
In addition, CT is widely used to help diagnose circulatory (blood) system diseases and conditions, such as coronary artery disease (atherosclerosis), blood vessel aneurysms, and blood clots; spinal conditions; kidney and bladder stones; abscesses; inflammatory diseases, such as ulcerative colitis and sinusitis; and ...
How soon do doctors receive CT scan results if serious?
It usually takes between 1 and 2 weeks for you to get your CT scan results, but can take up to 4 weeks depending on how urgent the scan is and where you live. The images need to be looked at by a specialist called a radiologist. The radiologist will write to the doctor who referred you for the scan.
What are the disadvantages of a CT scan?
Concerns about CT scans include the risks from exposure to ionizing radiation and possible reactions to the intravenous contrast agent, or dye, which may be used to improve visualization. The exposure to ionizing radiation may cause a small increase in a person's lifetime risk of developing cancer.
What does pancreatic back pain feel like?
Stomach and Back Pain
A common symptom of pancreatic cancer is a dull pain in the upper abdomen (belly) and/or middle or upper back that comes and goes. This is probably caused by a tumor that has formed in the body or tail of the pancreas because it can press on the spine.
How can I flush out gas from my stomach?
Drink a glass of warm water, or tea made with herbs such as peppermint, fennel, carom, cumin, or ginger. Move around. Exercise stimulates intestinal movement and if you have a bowel movement, it can free up space for the gas to move out. Gently massage your stomach.