Medical Questions » Radiology Questions » Question No. 834
| Question: | My son has been having stomach pains that are quite severe, and his doctor wants him to have a CAT scan of the abdomen, but because he has diabetes and allergies, I fear he may be at risk from such a scan. Could you please explain the complications and risks involved? |
| Answer: | A CAT (computerised axial tomography) scan is merely a form of X-ray, a very sophisticated X-ray, in which dozens of low dose X-rays are taken at different angles of the area of the body being examined, to produce a detailed cross-sectional view. There are no more complications from a CAT scan than from a normal chest X-ray.
The exception to this rule is when contrast dyes are used. These dyes show up areas that are not normally visible on a normal CAT scan or X-ray. An example would be the Barium meal, where a mixture of Barium is swallowed so that the stomach and intestine can be seen. In some CAT scans, dyes may be injected into the bloodstream and travel to areas of particular interest.
Some people can be allergic to these dyes, and because your son has many allergies, it is possible that he may react adversely to a dye being used for an X-ray or CAT scan. It is probable that no dye will be used in a CAT scan of the abdomen, but they are commonly used in brain CAT scans. You should discuss this with the radiologist performing the scan, and if a dye is essential for the examination, a very small test dose of the dye may be given to see if your son reacts.
There are no risks associated with diabetes and CAT scans.
Your doctor would not advise your son to have this test without good reason, and I therefore suggest that you proceed as outlined above.
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