Abstract
Computed tomography (CT) in gastroenterology offers apart from routine CT of the abdomen and pelvis a wide range of dedicated examinations focused on different organs and pathologies. CT examinations carry a radiation burden (which differs among different institutions) and secondary risk of developing malignancy.
Therefore, it should be requested judiciously and the patient should be well informed. Most examinations require intravenous contrast injection.
Patients in increased risk of developing allergic reaction require premedication or even better an alternative modality (magnetic resonance, ultrasound, nuclear medicine). Good hydration is the best prevention of contrast nephropathy.
Some dedicated examinations require special preparation of the bowel before the examination (CT enterography) or even a day prior to the examination (CT colonography). CT colonography has similar performance in the detection of polyps and colorectal cancer compared to optical colonoscopy and both methods complement each other well, they do not compete.
In most indications, magnetic resonance offers adequate or even better (MR enterography, MR of the liver) alternative to CT without radiation burden.