Abdomen

Normal abdominal scan - showing the appearance of the internal abdominal organs. It is possible to take slices through the abdomen in different 'planes' or sections. This is a computer technique to display the data in different ways. This can help in the interpretation of the scan.

This is a condition which affects the main artery passing from the heart to supply all the abdominal organs and the legs with oxygenated blood. An aneurysm is enlargement or dilatation of an artery, and although it can occur at many different locations it commonly occurs in the abdominal aorta. The main risk factor is a history of smoking. The diagnosis is made either with an ultrasound scan or a CT scan. The importance of the condition is due to the chance of sudden rupture seen particularly with large aneurysms.

Symptoms
Often no symptoms are present. Pulsation or lump in the upper abdomen.

CT
Shows a large abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of cancer to affect the kidney. It is more common in the middle aged and elderly population.

Symptoms
Many kidney tumours go undetected due to the lack of symptoms or until they have grown quite large. Possible symptoms include pain in the flank, blood in the urine or a palpable lump detected on physical examination. Quite often renal tumours are picked up as an unexpected finding during a scan for other symptoms. Renal cancer can be cured by surgically removing the kidney, providing it has not spread elsewhere for instance to the lymph glands, lungs or bones.

CT
There is an irregular tumour arising in the left kidney.

Liver cirrhosis is usually a long term complication of heavy alcohol consumption or a complication of viral hepatitis (Hepatitis B or C). The diagnosis is usually made by a physician using a combination of physical examination, blood tests and often a liver biopsy. Hepatocellular carcinoma is a malignant liver tumour which can occur in patients with cirrhosis.

Symptoms
The symptoms from cirrhosis include lethargy, abdominal swelling, itching and jaundice. Hepatocellular carcinoma is not usually symptomatic until large or unless it has spread. It can be diagnosed by a blood test or scan.

CT
Shows a 'bright' tumour within the liver.

Lymphoma is a malignant tumour of the lymphoid tissue, part of the immune system. This comprises various organs including the lymph glands, lymphatic channels, the liver and spleen. Although several types of cancer can spread to the lymph glands, lymphoma arises primarily at this site.

Symptoms
These are often non specific and may include tiredness, weight loss, pain from the area affected, a palpable lump or swelling or enlarged lymph glands.

CT
Shows multiple bulky enlarged lymph glands in the central abdomen.

This is a common cancer in the western world. It usually starts as a small polyp in the bowel wall and grows slowly over a number of years. It can spread to other organs like the liver.

Symptoms
Abdominal pain, bloating and sometimes blood in the motions. Change in bowel habit with diarrhoea or constipation.

CT
Shows spread of the colon cancer to the liver.