Fundamentals Of Computed Tomography Studies: Types Of Contrast

Page Contents

1 OVERVIEW
2 WHY GIVE CONTRAST AT ALL?
3 INTRAVENOUS CONTRAST
4 ORAL CONTRAST
5 PER-RECTAL CONTRAST

OVERVIEW

This page is dedicated to discussing the different types of contrast that can be used for the purposes of conducting computed tomography studies. The general options are listed below:

Intravenous contrast
Oral contrast
Per-rectal contrast

WHY GIVE CONTRAST AT ALL?

At its core the practice of giving contrast is done in order to help visualize structures of interest. The exact structure(s) of interest will dictate the type of contrast that is given (and sometimes also its timing).

INTRAVENOUS CONTRAST

IV contrast can help improve the visualization of many different structures within the body. Vessels can be visualized more readily and organs can also be seen more clearly (given that they are perfused with this contrast).

ORAL CONTRAST

Oral contrast, given its location, can be used to better visualize the gastrointestinal tract (stomach, small intestine, colon).

PER-RECTAL CONTRAST

Similar to the concept of oral contrast, per-rectal contrast is used to visualize the more distal parts of the GI tract (rectum/distal colon)

Page Updated: 08.03.2017