Computed tomography of the abdomen

Computed tomography of the abdomen is a good technique for assessing the size and consistency of solid organs:

• liver:
  • the size of the liver and the intrahepatic bile ducts
  • hepatic metastases from colorectal and other carcinomata
  • the texture of the liver parenchyma
    
    
• pancreas:
  • pancreatic carcinomata
  • the appearances and complications of pancreatitis
    
    
• kidney:
  • renal tumours
    
    
• spleen:
  • the size and consistency of the spleen

CT may also be used to assess the following:

• aorta:
  • abdominal aortic aneurysms and dissections
    
    
• gut:
  • thickening of the gut wall
  • fistulae
  • tumours
    
    
• retroperitoneum:
  • fibrosis
  • haematoma