What is Contrast and how is it used?
Contrast sometimes referred to as “dyes” are used to highlight organs, tissues and blood vessels. They can help the radiologist determine the presence and extent of injury or disease by increasing the visibility of all the structures of organs and tissues being examined. There are three main types of contrast for CT’s: • Iodine • Barium Sulfate • Gastrografin Contrast agents for CT exams can be administered in three ways: • Orally (contrast can be drank before an exam and allowed time to work its way through the colon helping with diagnosis and visualization) • Intravenously (contrast can be injected through an IV catheter into the patients blood stream helping show tissues, organs and vessels) • Rectally (contrast will be administered through an enema this highlights the large intestine and lower GI system) Oral contrast can be in two different forms: • Barium/Barium Sulfate is the most common oral contrast agent and resembles a milk shake in appearance and consistency. • Gastrografin
