CT Scan - Sinogram / Fistulogram Test

The CT Scan for Fistulogram/ Sinogram is often ordered to determine if you currently have fistulas in
your body; fistulas are where abnormal connections form between two of your organs where none
should exist. This can cause you to experience several symptoms, ranging from –
Sharp bowel pain
Abdominal cramps
Abdominal pain
Discharge from vagina
Diarrhea
Elevated white blood count
Fever, chills
Body aches
If any of these symptoms sound familiar to what you are currently experiencing, then you need to
consult with your healthcare worker right away.

Most of the fistulas often form as a result of medical procedures you may have had in the recent past; your doctor would first inspect the fistula in question, since most fistulas would lead to discharge as well as cause you to experience sharp pain around the fistula. He would then review your medical history; it is at this point that you would have to inform your doctor whether you are currently taking any medication or if you are pregnant. In case, you are pregnant your doctor may opt for some other procedure other than a CT scan for your fistula since it uses iodinated materials for getting the contrast scan done.

You would not have to undergo any special prep but you would be asked to abstain from consuming food for a period of 8hrs prior to getting the CT scan done. The results should be available in a few hours, post which your doctor would diagnose your current conditions, prescribe medications for alleviating your current symptoms and even recommend surgical procedures for correcting the current abnormality.

The CT scan for Sinogram/ Fistulogram is carried out to determine the nature, shape and size of the fistulas as well as to determine the causative factors behind the same. It is vital that you get this procedure done at the earliest, as it can be indicative of more serious health issues.

Your physician would ask you to disrobe and wear the hospital gown, he would then apply disinfectant to the region containing the fistula, and would then introduce contrast material into the fistula, which should enable the fistulas to be imaged with precision. You may face some discomfort as your doctor injects the area around the fistula with the contrast material after which the CT scan would be carried out. The results should be available in a few hours, post which your doctor would make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe additional procedures including surgery for your current condition.