What Can a Plain Abdominal CT Scan Detect?

There are many internal organs in the human abdomen, including the digestive system, urinary system, reproductive system, etc. These organs are numerous and complex. When diseases occur, they cannot be detected in time without symptoms of discomfort. Only abdominal ultrasonography or abdominal CT can be used for examination to screen each organ one by one in order to find the problem. Many people are not clear about the difference between abdominal CT and abdominal ultrasonography. Although both are used to examine diseases of internal organs, there are certain differences between them.

Abdominal CT scan can systematically examine all organs in the abdominal cavity, including the digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive system. The digestive system includes the stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon, rectum, liver, biliary system, pancreas, and spleen. The urinary and reproductive system includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and adrenals. In women, the uterus, ovaries, and pelvic cavity are also included. In men, the reproductive system includes the prostate, seminal vesicles, and testes. Abdominal CT scan can assess whether there are space-occupying lesions, stones, uterine fibroids, cholecystitis, pancreatitis, cirrhosis, liver tumors, hepatic hemangiomas, renal cysts, and male reproductive system lesions in each organ.

Abdominal ultrasonography is different from abdominal CT. Abdominal ultrasonography can examine organs such as the liver, gallbladder, spleen, and pancreas. CT scanning is performed layer by layer, providing clearer and more comprehensive results. Abdominal CT can be considered when ultrasonography cannot make a definitive diagnosis. The disadvantage of CT is its low spatial resolution, but its advantage is its high density resolution, making it advantageous for the diagnosis of organic diseases, especially for organic space-occupying lesions with large density differences.

Color Doppler ultrasonography refers to "color Doppler diagnosis." It utilizes modern technology to convert Doppler signals into color signals and overlays them on two-dimensional black-and-white images to achieve color blood flow imaging, enabling the observation and evaluation of intravascular space and blood flow status in vitro. Color Doppler ultrasonography is mainly used for heart disease examination and blood flow detection of major vessels inside and outside various organs in the human body.

1. It can quickly and intuitively display the two-dimensional planar distribution of blood flow.

2. It can show the direction of blood flow.

3. It is beneficial for distinguishing arteries and veins.

4. Color Doppler ultrasonography is beneficial for identifying vascular and non-vascular lesions.

5. It is helpful for understanding the nature of blood flow.

6. It can conveniently assess the phase and speed of blood flow.

7. It can reliably detect shunt and reflux.

8. It can quantitatively analyze the origin, width, length, and area of blood flow bundles.

9. Color Doppler ultrasonography has higher resolution than B-ultrasound, with more functions and a wider range of examination and content.

Abdominal ultrasonography and abdominal CT are two different types of examinations. Both have their unique characteristics and advantages. It is important to understand the differences between them. Regular physical examinations should be performed to ensure good health. If any abnormalities are detected, relevant physical examinations can be conducted based on the doctor's recommendations.