Oral contrast is used to image the stomach and intestines. It is a very dilute, flavored barium solution that you drink approximately 1 hour prior to an examination. Intravenous contrast is sometimes referred to as "dye". Although colorless, it contains iodine, which makes specific organs, blood vessels, and tissues visible on x-rays for better detection of disease or injury. It is not radioactive.

Lenox Hill radiology only uses the newest and safest "non ionic" contrast available on the market. This is shown to have a much lower incidence of allergic reaction than the older "ionic" contrast. The most common side effect of the contrast includes a warm or hot "flushed" sensation during the actual injection and a "metallic" taste in the mouth, which usually lasts less than a minute or so. There is no treatment necessary for this as it is only a passing sensation. See similar questions...

The contrast is injected into a vein using a small needle during a specific period in the CT exam. The contrast circulates the blood stream, through the heart and arteries, capillaries and veins, to essentially “enhance” the tissue structure of your organs so they appear highlighted on the CT images for a more precise diagnosis. See similar questions...

Contrast medium is used to increase tissue contrast between normal and abnormal structures hence allowing better differentiation and more precise diagnosis. The intravenously injected contrast medium becomes distributed all over the tissues of the body and consequently increases their density; therefore increases the ability of these tissues to absorb and attenuate the x-ray beam and the more the tissue takes contrast medium the more they appear bright in CT. See similar questions...

The most common side effect is a warm sensation during the injection and a "metallic" taste in the mouth. These are only passing sensations and usually last less than a minute or so. For some patients, itching or hives (bumps on the skin) may occur and can last from several minutes to several hours after the injection. This can be treated with medication at the time of the exam or after by the referring physician. See similar questions...

Absolutely. We use “non-ionic” contrast, which has a much lower incidence of allergic reaction than the older “ionic” contrast. See similar questions...

Patients having a CT scan of either their abdomen or pelvis are usually required to drink a special drink for up to 2 hours prior to their scan time. The drink, which is Barium based travels from the stomach into the remainder of the gastrointestinal tract. The CT x-ray beam is attenuated (weakened) as it passes through the organs containing the contrast, for example, the large intestine. See similar questions...

Intravenous contrast is used in CT to help highlight blood vessels and to enhance the tissue structure of various organs such as the brain, spine, liver and kidneys. "Intravenous" means that the contrast is injected into a vein using a small needle. Typically the contrast is loaded into a power injector, which injects the CT contrast using tubing through the needle into the body during a specific period in the CT exam. See similar questions...

Plain (without contrast) CT abdomen , bowel loops are difficult to differentiate from adjacent normal or abnormal structures because of similar density. Oral contrast media (iodine solution) is hyper dense .so once contrast solution is taken before (according to protocol) ,all bowel loops are filled with hyper dense solution. So it is easy to differentiate bowel loops from adjacent normal or abnormal structures. See similar questions...

Not all CT examinations require the use of a contrast agent. When a contrast agent is required, it is because the radiologist and referring physician determine that it is necessary for diagnosis. Contrast agents are considered to be safe and side effects are uncommon. The benefits associated with the improved imaging of particular organs generally outweigh the low risk of allergic reaction. See similar questions...

intravenous or IV is a catheter that is introduced into a vein for the purpose of administering fluid, anesthetic medications, and other medications. See similar questions...

The purpose of oral contrast is to make certain organs or tissues more recognizable during radiological procedures. Virtual colonoscopy uses oral contrast to mark stool remaining in the colon. This helps the radiologist differentiate between stool and other abnormalities in the colon. It is very important that this medication be taken in its entirety to get the best possible results. If not taken properly the exam may have to be repeated. See similar questions...

Your oral and maxillofacial surgeon is not only a specialist in dealing with problems of the mouth, teeth, jaws, and face, but is also experienced in dealing with the control of pain and anxiety. The oral and maxillofacial surgeon possesses extensive clinical experience in all types of anesthesia techniques. See similar questions...

The organs of the abdomen and pelvis are similar in density, so a contrast material is needed to provide exquisite detail of the colon. Liquid barium, a dense, non-absorbable white solution, is introduced into the colon through a rectal tube. The barium coats or fills the inside of the colon and, with the use of low dose x-ray pictures, a sharp, well-defined image of the colon is produced. See similar questions...

Not everyone needs an injection for CT imaging. When an contrast injection is needed, a pharmaceutical contrast agent made of iodine is used. This is only done when the radiologist and/or the referring physician have determined that it is necessary for diagnostic purposes. Iodine contrast is used to make specific organs, blood vessels or tissue types "stand out" with more image contrast in the resulting picture. See similar questions...

Yes. The contrast takes 24 to 48 hours to completely filter out of your body. We advise patients to drink lots of water to help this process. If you are a Diabetic taking Glucophage or Metformin, you may take your medication before your exam as usual. However, you must stop taking your medication for 48 hours after your CT scan. See similar questions...

Contrast ratio is the ratio of luminance between the brightest white and the darkest black of a particular device or a particular environment. Projected cinema film, or a photographic reflection print, has a contrast ratio of about 80:1. Television assumes a contrast ratio, in your living room, of about 30:1. Typical office viewing conditions restrict the contrast ratio of a CRT display to about 5:1. See similar questions...

IVIG is a treatment for many immune disorders. Preliminary research suggests that it may help maintain pregnancy in women who have experienced secondary recurrent miscarriage by improving the mother’s immune response to this pregnancy. Currently, Dr. Stephenson is conducting an international trial to test whether IVIG helps promote successful pregnancies in women who have suffered secondary recurrent miscarriage. See similar questions...