Call the VRI RAD LINE below to speak to our Clinical Director STAT and/or receive a call back from a VRI Radiologist within 5 minutes.

VRI's RAD LINE
910-709-0034

For general assistance and inquiries please contact the main office.

General Questions/Inquiries
(910) 323-2209

Image Portal Login

For access to VRI's image and reporting portal, click below to be redirected to login.

Image Portal
Scheduling Portal

For access to our new scheduling and reporting portal, click below to login.

Scheduling Portal
Referral From

To fill out our VRI's referral physician form, download the PDF.

Referral Form

Abdomen and Pelvis

General Information

Computerized Tomography (CT), also known as "Cat Scan", is a diagnostic imaging tool that takes cross-sectional images of the body using x-rays.  CT assists Physicians in detecting disease, tumors, or infections and injuries to internal organs.  Additionally, Bones can be evaluated for fractures and other lesions.  CT provides excellent anatomic clarity and detail that is not available with traditional diagnostic imaging (plain x-rays).  This is critical when it comes to head and neck exams, gastrointestinal exams, urological exams and CT Angiography (CTA) exams.

What is CT Scanning of the Abdomen/Pelvis?

CT scanning—sometimes called CAT scanning—is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions.

CT scanning combines special x-ray equipment with sophisticated computers to produce multiple images or pictures of the inside of the body. These cross-sectional images of the area being studied can then be examined on a computer monitor, printed or transferred to a CD.

CT scans of internal organs, bones, soft tissue and blood vessels provide greater clarity and reveal more details than regular x-ray exams.

What are some common uses of the procedure?

This procedure is typically used to help diagnose the cause of abdominal or pelvic pain and diseases of the internal organs, bowel and colon, such as:

  • infections such as appendicitis, diverticulitis, pyelonephritis or infected fluid collections, aka. abscesses.
  • inflammatory processes such as pancreatitis, liver cirrhosis or inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.
  • cancers of the colon, liver, kidneys, pancreas and bladder as well as lymphoma.
  • kidney and bladder stones.
  • abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) and other diseases of the vessels such as blood clots and abnormal narrowings or stenoses of the vessels.

CT scanning of the abdomen/pelvis is also performed to:

  • quickly identify injuries to the liver, spleen, kidneys or other internal organs in cases of trauma.
  • guide biopsies and other procedures such as abscess drainages and minimally invasive tumor treatments.
  • plan for and assess the results of surgery, such as organ transplants or gastric bypass.
  • stage, plan and properly administer radiation treatments for tumors as well as monitor response to chemotherapy.

What are the limitations of CT Scanning of the Abdomen/Pelvis?

A person who is very large may not fit into the opening of a conventional CT scanner or may be over the weight limit for the moving table which is usually about 450 pounds.

CT scanning of the abdomen may not be as sensitive in identifying gallstones as ultrasound of the abdomen.

For some conditions, including but not limited to some liver, adrenal, kidney, pancreatic, uterine or ovarian abnormalities, the evaluation and diagnosis with MRI may be preferable over CT scanning.