The CTAP medical abbreviation means a computed tomography scan of the abdomen and pelvis, one of the most common scans ordered in emergency rooms and clinics. CT is the scan, A stands for abdomen and P stands for pelvis, so the order covers the area from the bottom of the chest down to the hips.
You might see it written as CTAP, CT A/P or CT abd/pelvis on an order, a portal result or a note from the emergency department. The sections ahead decode a typical CTAP order, explain the contrast words, compare it with look-alike terms, and cover an older, rarer meaning from liver imaging.
At a glance
Stands for
CT (computed tomography) of the abdomen and pelvisWritten as
CTAP, CT A/P, CT abd/pelvis, CT APOther meanings
CT arterial portography, an older liver imaging methodContrast options
With IV contrast, without contrast, or with oral contrast tooWhere you see it
ED orders, radiology results, discharge summariesDo not confuse with
What the CTAP medical abbreviation covers
A CT scanner takes many x-ray images from different angles and a computer builds them into thin slices. A CTAP looks at the organs of the belly and pelvis in one pass: liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, bowel, appendix, bladder, blood vessels, lymph nodes, and the uterus and ovaries or prostate.
Doctors order it for many reasons, including belly pain, suspected appendicitis, kidney stones, diverticulitis, injury after a fall or crash, and checking a known cancer. Because it covers so much, it is one of the scans most often ordered when the cause of pain is not yet clear.
Reading a CTAP order line by line
An imaging order lists the scan, the body area, whether contrast is used, and the reason. Here is a typical emergency department order taken apart.
| Text | Meaning |
|---|---|
| CTAP | CT of the abdomen and pelvis |
| w/ IV contrast | With dye given through a vein |
| r/o appendicitis | To rule out an inflamed appendix |
| NPO pending read | Nothing by mouth until the radiologist reports the result |
Portal result heading: "CT A/P without contrast, renal stone protocol." This is a CTAP done without dye, set up to look for kidney stones, which show well on a plain scan.
Contrast words you will see beside CTAP
Contrast is a substance that makes certain tissues stand out. IV contrast, given in an arm vein, brightens blood vessels and organs. Oral contrast, a drink taken before the scan, outlines the bowel. Some scans use both, some use neither.
- w/o or non-con: no contrast at all
- w/ or with IV: dye through a vein
- w/ and w/o: pictures taken before and after the dye
- PO contrast: contrast taken by mouth
Before IV contrast, staff usually ask about kidney problems, prior reactions to dye and, for some people, recent kidney blood tests such as creatinine or GFR. Many people feel a brief warm flush when the dye goes in.
Look-alike terms and the older CTAP meaning
Because imaging shorthand stacks letters, a few terms are easy to mix up.
| Term | Meaning | How it differs |
|---|---|---|
| CTA | CT angiography | Timed to show blood vessels; a CTA of the abdomen and pelvis may be written CTA A/P |
| CTAB | Clear to auscultation bilaterally | A lung exam finding, not a scan |
| KUB | Kidneys, ureters, bladder | A single plain x-ray of the belly |
In older liver imaging papers, CTAP also meant CT arterial portography, a method that injected contrast through an artery to help find liver tumors. It is rarely done today, so in a modern order CTAP means an abdomen and pelvis scan.
For students and scribes: charting a CTAP
When charting, include the contrast status and the reason, since radiology protocols differ for stones, trauma, cancer staging and bowel problems. Results often come back as a findings section followed by an impression, which is the radiologist's summary. Scribes usually quote the impression in the note.
A full list of scan, x-ray and lab shorthand lives on the tests and imaging hub.
A CT report can mention small findings that need no action, or ones that need follow up. Go over your own result with the clinician who ordered the scan.
Frequently asked questions
What does CTAP mean on an order?
It means a CT of the belly and pelvis. The order usually also says whether contrast will be used and why the scan is needed.
Is CT A/P the same as CTAP?
Yes. CT A/P, CT abd/pelvis and CTAP are different ways of writing the same scan of the belly and pelvis.
How long does a CTAP take?
The scanning itself usually lasts only a few minutes. Preparation, such as drinking oral contrast or placing an IV, can add more time, and the full visit is often longer.
Is a CTAP the same as a CTA?
No. A CTA is timed to show blood vessels, such as when looking for a bleed or an aneurysm, while a routine CTAP looks at organs. The radiologist picks the timing based on the question asked.