- Strengths
- great for acute abdominal pain workup. >96% sensitive for etiology. Oral contrast generally NOT needed unless recent surgery, chronic symptoms (> 3-5 days), tumor evaluation or in thin patients (helps to delineate bowel loops and mesentery).
- Limitations
- Consider ultrasound first for: high suspicion of gallbladder/biliary disease; women with suspected adnexal pathology; children. CT better if suspected bowel, mesenteric or retroperitoneal etiology and provides more "complete" view overall.
- Contraindications
- 1) Allergy to contrast, but we will premedicate patient as necessary; 2) IV contrast will be dose-adjusted dependent upon creatinine clearance.
- CPT Code
- 74177
- Exact format for order to be authorized
- CT abdomen and pelvis with IV and oral contrast.
- Patient Preparation
- NPO 4 hours, but can take meds with small sip of water.
