Abdominal computerized tomography

This article shows the present reliability of computered tomography within the frame of the special examination methods in surgery and their temporal integration into the temporal examination tactics. The introduction of the new scanners of the third generation brought another diagnostical progress. It is seen that even more circumscribed parenchymatous alterations (e.g. in the liver) can be manifested. It is possible to distinguish between various forms of pancreatitis which is important to the surgeon. The CT is not indicated to find tumours in the gastro-intestinal tract, but it can be employed reasonably to exclude a metastasing. In the sphere of the retroperitoncum, adrenal tumours, lymph node packages and aneurysms of the big vessels can be comprehended in a form not known before. In cases of renal malignomas, a staging can be carried out before surgery already. A new section of CT is the manifestation of suptures of the spleen, liver and kidneys in coutused abdominal traumata. Abdominal abscesses can be diagnosed by means of CT. (orig.)