My CT mentions a kidney cyst — is that a problem?

Simple kidney cysts are very common and usually harmless, and many people have them without knowing. Your doctor will tell you whether yours needs any monitoring, but most do not.

What is a fatty liver on a CT scan?

Fatty liver means extra fat has built up in the liver. It is common and often improves with changes to diet, activity, and other health factors. Your doctor interprets what it means for you.

Why does my report list findings unrelated to my symptoms?

A CT is very detailed and often notices small, harmless things by chance, called incidental findings. Listing them is thorough reporting. Your doctor decides which, if any, matter for you.

CT · Abdomen

What an abdominal CT shows, and what the report means

Read Your Scan Editorial Team·Last updated 21 August 2026

Written from published radiology references and reviewed for plain language. Not written or signed by a physician, and not a diagnosis. How we write these pages →

The short answer

An abdominal CT shows the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, adrenal glands, bowel, blood vessels and the surrounding fat and lymph nodes, in cross-sectional slices. Because it images so many organs at once, incidental findings unrelated to the reason for the scan are common.

An abdominal CT uses X-rays to build detailed cross-sectional images of the organs in your belly. This page explains what it looks at and what common report terms mean.

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What this scan shows

An abdominal CT shows the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, bowel, blood vessels, and lymph nodes in fine detail. Doctors order it for abdominal pain, to look into a suspected stone, infection, or blockage, or to check known findings. Because it is so detailed, it often notes small, harmless things by chance. The report describes what the images show; your doctor reads it together with your symptoms and other results.

Common findings, in plain words

Renal cyst

A fluid-filled pocket on the kidney. Simple kidney cysts are extremely common and usually harmless. Your doctor decides whether any check is needed.

Kidney stone (calculus)

A small hard deposit in the kidney or urinary tract. The report notes size and location, which helps your doctor discuss whether it needs treatment.

Hepatic steatosis (fatty liver)

Extra fat in the liver, seen as the liver appearing different in density. It is common and often improves with lifestyle changes. Your doctor interprets its significance.

Gallstones

Stones within the gallbladder. Many people have them without symptoms. Your doctor considers whether they relate to how you feel.

Diverticulosis

Small pouches in the wall of the colon, very common with age and often causing no symptoms. It is noted for completeness.

Enlarged or prominent lymph node

A lymph node that looks bigger than usual, which commonly happens with inflammation or infection. Size is one clue your doctor weighs among many.

Terms you might see

Contrast: A dye given by vein or by mouth that makes organs, vessels, or the bowel show up more clearly. Not every abdominal CT uses it.
Hypodensity / hyperdensity: Words describing an area that looks darker (less dense) or brighter (more dense) than surrounding tissue on the scan.
Calculus: The medical word for a stone, such as a kidney stone or gallstone.
Retroperitoneum: The area at the back of the abdomen containing the kidneys, major vessels, and some lymph nodes.
Incidental finding: Something found by chance that was not the reason for the scan. Many are harmless, and your doctor decides if any need attention.

Report glossary, A–Z →

Questions to ask your doctor

1.What was the main reason for this CT, and did it answer that question?
2.Were any findings incidental, and do any of them need follow-up?
3.If a stone or cyst was seen, does it need treatment or monitoring?
4.Do the results change my current care or medications?
5.Is there anything I can do about findings like fatty liver?

See these findings on your own scan

Upload your scan (de-identified in your browser) and your radiologist’s report, and every finding is mapped onto the images, explained in plain language and scored — free, no card needed. Informational only — not a diagnosis.