New Exam Avaialble – CT Enterography

We are pleased to start offering a new exam, CT Enterography, starting as early as next week Monday April 28, 2014. This exam will only be offered at our St. Francis office.  It is always exciting and great for our group to be able to expand our services to the community.  Here is some information regarding the exam.

Portions taken from the John Hopkins library.  Here is a link for more information:  John Hopkins Medical – CT Enterography

Procedure overview

CT enterography is a diagnostic procedure that uses CT imagery and a contrast material for a better view of the interior of the small intestine. The procedure allows your doctor to determine what is causing your condition. He or she can also tell how well you’re responding to treatment for a health issue, such as Crohn’s disease.

Reasons for the procedure

CT enterography is typically performed in order to:

  • Identify inflammation
  • Find out if tumors are present
  • Find bowel obstructions or abscesses
  • Find the source of bleeding

Protocol

  • Nothing to eat or drink 4 hours before the examination.
  • Patient to arrive 1 hour and 20 min prior to exam time to allow for check in and prep for scan
  • Patient to be checked in by front
  • CT technologist will bring patient back to the CT area where they will monitor the patient drinking of oral contrast
  • CT technologist will have the patient drink a total of 1.35 L of oral contrast VoLumen over 1 hour at the following rates:
    1. 450 mL at Initial 1 hour prior scanning
    2. 450 mL at 40 min prior to scan
    3. 225 mL at 20 min prior to scan
    4. 225 mL at 10 min prior to scan

***Note that the timing of the oral contrast and amount is critical for a good exam***

  • After the oral contrast agent is ingested, CT tech will bring patient into CT room and begin the exam.
  • A bolus of intravenous contrast material (125 mL, of Omnipaque 350) followed by 50 mL of saline solution is administered with a power injector at a rate of 4 mL/sec.
  • Helical scanning is performed from the diaphragm to the symphysis pubis, beginning 50 seconds after the administration of intravenous contrast material, and includes a single (venous) phase.Scanning parameters include a section thickness of 0.625 mm and interval of 0.625 mm. 2mm axial and coronal images are obtained.

(For evaluation of occult bleeding or mesenteric vessel evaluation, an arterial phase can be added)
**Consult with Radiologist Prior to exam**

After the procedure

  • Following CT enterography examination, patients are encouraged to remain in our department for approximately 45 min because they reasonably frequently experience severe, albeit short-lived, diarrhea.
  • Otherwise the CT enterography procedure does not cause any lasting side effects, and needs no recovery time because it requires no incisions or sedation. You can resume your regular activities as soon as the procedure is completed, however, again we do encourage patients to remain in our office at least 45 min after exam. Patient may have nausea, diarrhea, and cramps for a little while after the test.