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Imaging · London

Private abdominal & pelvic CT in London, reported by a consultant radiologist.

Same-day abdomen and pelvis CT - CT-KUB for kidney stones, triple-phase liver, or full staging - all reported by a consultant radiologist.

A stethoscope on a clinical desk

Indicative pricing

What a private abdominal CT costs in London.

Indicative ranges across UK private providers.

In short

£400–£750, reported same-day for urgent cases.

Scan type Indicative range
Standard abdo/pelvis CT £400–£750
Abdo/pelvis CT + contrast £550–£1,000
CT kidneys, ureters, bladder (CT-KUB, low-dose) £350–£650
Triple-phase liver CT £700–£1,300
Full staging chest + abdo + pelvis £900–£1,800
Urgent same-day abdo CT £700–£1,400

Prices vary by clinic, time of day, and whether iodinated contrast or multiple phases are used.

The problem

Abdominal pain deserves a proper answer.

A general CT reported by a general radiologist misses the nuance. Abdomen and pelvis CT is a specialist read - stones, liver lesions, staging and inflammatory disease each have their own protocol.

  • Suspected kidney stones?

    Low-dose CT-KUB is the definitive test and look for a scanner running the protocol.

  • Undiagnosed abdominal pain?

    A consultant abdominal radiologist reports every study so nothing subtle is missed.

  • Need it today?

    Urgent same-day abdominal CT with a same-day report is arranged where clinically justified.

What it shows

What an abdominal CT is genuinely best at.

Abdomen and pelvis CT earns its place for specific questions - pain, stones, masses, infection, bleeding and staging.

  • Undiagnosed abdominal pain

    When history and bloods have not given an answer, CT often does.

  • Kidney stones (CT-KUB)

    The definitive test for stones and the cause of sudden severe flank pain.

  • Abdominal mass

    Characterises a felt or seen mass - its origin, size and relationships.

  • Suspected infection (abscess)

    Finds collections, appendicitis, diverticulitis and other acute infection.

  • GI bleeding source

    CT angiography can localise active bleeding when endoscopy has not.

  • Cancer staging

    Maps the extent of a known cancer and tracks response to treatment.

  • Liver lesion characterisation

    Triple-phase CT characterises liver lesions found on ultrasound.

  • Red flag: severe pain, distension, vomiting

    Do not wait for a scan - 999 or A&E.

Abdominal CT types

Not all abdominal CTs are the same.

What each protocol on your referral is actually for.

  • Standard abdo/pelvis CT

    Cross-sectional imaging of the abdomen and pelvis for a wide range of questions.

  • Abdo/pelvis + contrast

    Iodinated contrast to highlight vessels, organs and inflammation.

  • CT-KUB (stones)

    Low-dose non-contrast CT of kidneys, ureters and bladder - the definitive stone test.

  • Triple-phase liver

    Three timed contrast phases to characterise liver lesions.

  • Pancreatic protocol CT

    Dedicated timing and thin slices for pancreatic masses and pancreatitis.

  • CT enterography

    Small bowel imaging with oral contrast - used for suspected Crohn’s disease.

  • CT angiogram (mesenteric)

    Detailed imaging of the mesenteric arteries for ischaemia or bleeding.

  • Full staging CT

    Chest, abdomen and pelvis in one sitting for oncology staging.

Safety and eligibility

Radiation, contrast, and when to choose something else.

The honest headline for abdominal CT is radiation dose. The scan should be justified, low-dose protocols used where possible, and contrast safety checked before you arrive.

  • Radiation dose

    Radiation dose is meaningful for abdo CT - it is always justified against the clinical benefit before it goes ahead.

  • Contrast screening

    Previous contrast reactions, allergy and kidney function are checked before any contrast study.

  • Pregnancy

    CT is generally avoided in pregnancy - ultrasound or MRI is preferred.

  • Fasting if contrast

    You will be asked not to eat for a few hours if contrast is planned.

  • Claustrophobia

    A CT is a wide, short ring rather than a tunnel - claustrophobia is rare on CT.

  • Mucosal disease

    A normal CT does not exclude mucosal disease - endoscopy is the test for that.

  • Prior imaging

    Always share prior imaging so the radiologist can compare and interpret change.

Reading your report

An abdominal CT report can look intimidating. It isn’t.

However much ground it covers, an abdominal CT report keeps to the same four parts.

A consultant abdominal radiologist reviewing CT images on a clinical workstation in Central London

A quiet reminder

The report is written for your doctor, not for you - and that is normal.

If anything is unclear, ask your clinician to talk you through it before your follow-up.

  1. 01 Header

    Your details and the indication

    Your details and the clinical question behind the referral.

  2. 02 Technique

    Protocol and contrast

    Which protocol was used and whether iodinated contrast was given.

  3. 03 Findings

    Structured, organ-by-organ report

    A structured, organ-by-organ description of the abdomen and pelvis, including any incidental findings.

  4. 04 Impression

    Read this first

    The conclusion in brief - read this first. Normal, findings, or onward MDT / follow-up.

Recognised by major UK insurers

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Frequently asked

Common questions about abdominal CT.

Quick answers on ultrasound vs CT, contrast, stones, pregnancy, cost and results.

  • CT or ultrasound for the abdomen?

    Ultrasound is first-line for gallbladder, kidneys and many soft-tissue questions, and uses no radiation. CT is the answer when ultrasound cannot see through, when speed matters, or for stones, staging and complex pain.

  • When is contrast needed?

    Contrast is used to highlight blood vessels, inflammation and many masses. It is not used for a low-dose CT-KUB stone study. Your radiologist decides based on the clinical question.

  • Is CT-KUB the right test for kidney stones?

    Yes. Low-dose CT-KUB is the definitive test for suspected kidney and ureteric stones - it finds stones ultrasound misses, and typically takes only a few minutes in the scanner.

  • Can I have an abdominal CT if I am pregnant?

    It is generally avoided.

  • How much radiation is involved?

    Abdominal CT delivers a meaningful dose - more than a chest X-ray, and it should only be done when the benefit clearly outweighs it. CT-KUB is delivered at a low-dose protocol.

  • Do I need a referral?

    Abdominal CT is usually arranged with a referral, because the dose means it should be clinically justified.

  • How quickly will I get my results?

    Non-urgent studies are typically reported within 24–72 hours.

  • CT colonography or colonoscopy?

    Colonoscopy is the gold standard because it can biopsy and remove polyps. CT colonography is a good alternative when a camera test is unsuitable - it is a separate pathway with its own bowel prep.

  • When should I see a GP urgently instead of booking a scan?

    Severe pain, abdominal distension, persistent vomiting, blood in vomit or stool, or signs of sepsis - go to A&E or call 999. A scan will follow, urgently, in that setting.

Related tests

Looking for a different test?

In practice, in London

The honest picture around abdominal CT in London

With abdominal CT, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it - not whether the scan is available. Waiting lists on the NHS for abdominal CT vary widely by borough and by how the GP letter reads. Privately in London, appointments can often be found inside the same week, sometimes within 48 hours if there’s a cancellation. The difference isn’t clinical quality - the consultants are frequently the same faces you’d see on the NHS - it’s the calendar.

A private abdominal CT pathway in London usually looks like this: an initial consultation, any diagnostics booked at a nearby facility (most within Zone 1 or 2), and a written report sent to you and your GP within a few days. For abdominal CT specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.

It’s worth being realistic about what a private pathway for abdominal CT can and can’t promise. It can compress a wait, put you in front of a subspecialist quickly, and get a proper report in your hands within a week. It can’t rewrite what the imaging or the bloods say. Setting that expectation up front tends to make the whole experience less stressful.