Contrast dyes for CT and MRI are used to improve the contrast resolution of the images we obtain during an examination. The use of contrast greatly improves the accuracy of the scan and assists to detect or exclude many life threatening conditions. This is particularly important in imaging the neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, and vasculature examinations. It is mainly used to highlight differences between soft tissues which would otherwise look the same. Not giving contrast means certain pathologies can be missed and a less accurate diagnosis.
Contrast enhanced scans are given every day in our practice and are required to be supervised by a managing radiologist. Contrast materials are safe drugs; adverse reactions ranging from mild to severe do occur, but severe reactions are very uncommon. While serious allergic or other reactions to contrast materials are rare, our department is well-equipped to deal with them with onsite radiologists to manage allergy and anaphylaxis.
You may have heard in the news of the global shortage of iodinated contrast for the remainder of 2022. Our practices have adequate supplies of contrast reducing the risk of running out for those scans where an alternative examination is not suitable.