Siemens SOMATOM Emotion 6, Application Manual, Page: 136 / 194

136
Abdomen
Hints in General
• Topogram: AP, 512 or 768 mm.
• Patient positioning:
Patient lying in supine position, arms positioned
comfortably above the head in the head-arm rest,
lower legs supported.
• Patient respiratory instructions: inspiration.
• Oral administration of contrast medium:
For abdominal studies, it is necessary to delineate
the bowel from other structures such as lymph
nodes, abdominal masses & abscesses. Various types
of bowel opacifying agents can be used:
– Diluted barium suspension (1% – 2%) e.g. EZCAT
– Water soluble agent (2% – 4%) e.g. Gastrografin
– Water alone, as a negative contrast agent.
Timing of the oral contrast administration is important
to ensure its even distribution in the bowel.
Upper abdomen:
Minimum 600 ml of contrast divided into 3 cups
(approximately 200 – 250 ml)
1
st cup to drink 30 minutes before exam
2 nd cup to drink 15 minutes before exam
3 rd cup to drink 5 minutes before exam
Abdomen-Pelvis:
Minimum 1000 ml of contrast divided into 4 cups
1
st cup to drink 1 hour before exam
2 nd – 4 th cups every subsequent 15 minutes
Start exam 5 minutes after the 4 th cup is administered.