What Is Contrast Dye?
Contrast dye is a pharmaceutical liquid used in computed axial tomography (CAT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and X-rays. The contrast dye is needed to make any injuries or diseases visible to the physicians ordering the test. There are three ways a that contrast dye is administered in to a person’s body: intravenously, orally, or rectally. A patient receiving contrast dye intravenously will get it through a needle, directly into the blood stream. The contrast agent is clear and stored in a sterile vial. The amount of contrast dye given is based on how much the patient weighs, how tall he or she is, and how old he or she is.
