Finding the right tests…
Emergency services available 24 x 7
Emergency services available 24 x 7
Finding the right tests…
CT Scan
The pelvis holds the bladder, rectum, and reproductive organs, and this version adds iodine-based contrast through a vein to get a clearer look at all three. The dye highlights blood flow and tissue enhancement, which helps a radiologist tell a tumor apart from inflammation or a normal structure in this crowded part of the body. Doctors order this when pelvic pain, an abnormal finding on ultrasound, or suspected cancer in the bladder, prostate, ovaries, uterus, or rectum needs more detail than a plain scan gives. Because contrast needs time to reach the pelvis, expect some waiting built into the appointment before the actual scan is taken.
The radiologist examines the bladder, rectum, and reproductive organs for masses, abnormal lymph nodes, or fluid collections, using the contrast pattern to help separate tumors from normal tissue. Bone structures in the pelvis are also reviewed. A written report summarizing these findings goes to your doctor.
The bladder, rectum, and reproductive organs, the prostate and seminal vesicles in men, and the uterus and ovaries in women, are all packed into a relatively small space. A single contrast scan can capture all of them together, which matters when symptoms could be coming from more than one nearby organ.
Iodine-based contrast improves how well a radiologist can tell a tumor apart from inflamed tissue or a normal structure, since these often look similar without dye. This is the standard reason contrast is preferred for cancer or infection workups in the pelvis, rather than a routine structural check.
- Mention any past reaction to injected contrast - Tell the technologist about kidney disease, since the dye passes through your kidneys - Flag any chance of pregnancy, since the pelvis sits close to the reproductive organs and this scan uses x-ray radiation
Ask your doctor or the centre about fasting or bladder-filling instructions specific to your appointment.
It covers the bladder, rectum, and reproductive organs, meaning the prostate and seminal vesicles in men or the uterus and ovaries in women. All of these sit close together in the pelvis and can be captured in one scan.
Contrast makes it easier to tell a tumor apart from inflamed or normal tissue, since these can look similar on a plain image in a crowded area like the pelvis. This is why contrast is generally preferred when cancer or infection is being investigated here.
Iodine-based contrast is cleared by your kidneys, so people with significant kidney disease are at higher risk of the dye affecting kidney function further. Tell your doctor about any kidney problems before the scan.
This page is general information about the test, not medical advice. Your own report's reference ranges apply — please discuss your results with your doctor.
Tell your doctor and technologist immediately about any chance of pregnancy, since the pelvis sits close to the reproductive organs and this scan uses x-ray radiation. Doctors generally avoid CT scans during pregnancy unless there's no safer alternative.
Some pelvis scans ask you to have a full bladder to help outline the organ better, but this depends on your specific protocol. Ask your doctor or the centre directly what's expected before your appointment.
This version adds iodine-based dye through a vein to highlight blood flow and tissue detail, which helps with spotting or characterizing a mass. The plain version skips the dye and is often enough for a structural check, like looking at pelvic bones or a suspected stone.
A radiologist reviews the images and writes a report describing what was found in the bladder, rectum, and reproductive organs. That report is sent to your doctor, who will explain the findings and what comes next.