What does it mean when a nodule on the lung is red on the CT?
Aubrey L, During many computed tomography examinations, patients may be asked to take a special contrast agent (orally, rectally or via injection). Intravenous, oral and rectal CT contrast are pharmaceutical agents (liquids) and are sometimes referred to as “dye”. CT contrast is used to make specific organs, blood vessels and/or tissue types “stand out” with more image contrast to better show the presence of disease or injury. Thus CT contrast highlights specific areas of the resultant CT image or “dyes” it. As CT images are being acquired, the CT’s X-Ray beams are attenuated (weakened) as they pass through the blood vessels and organs flushed with the contrast. This causes the blood vessels and organs filled with the contrast to “enhance” and show up as white areas on the X-Ray or CT images. The kidneys and liver eliminate the contrast from the blood. There is not any actual colour seen. Screening CT scans are extremely sensitive in detecting nodules as small as 2 or 3mm within the lu
