GI Tract

Stomach: Gastric mass

Specific Anatomic Region

Stomach

Application

Gastric mass

Author

Horton HM, Fishman EK

Reference Source

Spiral CT of the Esophagus and Stomach (in: Spiral CT: Principles, Techniques and Clinical Applications. Fishman, Jeffrey, eds. 1998)

Scanner Used

Siemens Somatom Plus-4

Injection Rate

2-3ml/sec

Contrast Volume and Type

120ml of Omnipaque-350

Area Scanned

From diaphragm to top of iliac crest

Scan Delay

30sec

Length of Spiral (time)

Up to 40sec

Slice Thickness

3mm

Table Speed/Pitch

5mm/sec

Reconstruction Interval

2-3mm

3D Technique Used

None usually needed although virtual endoscopy may be useful

Comment:
1. We classically would distend the stomach with 750cc of 3% Hypaque. We now routinely use 750-1000 cc of water. This allows better evaluation of the gastric wall and definition of tumors, etc.
2. Another reliable protocol is 5mm collimation and a pitch of 1 and reconstruction of data at 5mm intervals. This is primarily as a screening mode.