Dr. Jay Emerson Jones, a diagnostic radiologist, interprets a number of different imaging tests to offer accurate diagnoses to patients. One of the scans that Dr. Jay Emerson Jones frequently uses is computed tomography (CT). Sometimes, the use of a contrast is necessary to produce the most precise CT scan possible. Contrast may be administered orally or intravenously depending on the agent being used. An intravenous contrast, used to make blood vessels more prominent and to enhance the image of certain vital organs, consists of iodine injected into the blood stream. Since iodine weakens the x-ray beams of the CT scan, the contrast results in bright pictures of blood vessels and organs.
Iodine contrast is safe and has been used on millions of patients without serious side effects. However, patients should always inform their radiologist of any history of allergy, heart condition, or problems with kidneys or thyroid. The most typical side effect if iodine contrast is a warm sensation during the test and a metallic taste in the mouth that lasts only momentarily. Some patients experience itching or hives for as long as several hours, but medications can help mitigate these reactions.
Iodine contrast is safe and has been used on millions of patients without serious side effects. However, patients should always inform their radiologist of any history of allergy, heart condition, or problems with kidneys or thyroid. The most typical side effect if iodine contrast is a warm sensation during the test and a metallic taste in the mouth that lasts only momentarily. Some patients experience itching or hives for as long as several hours, but medications can help mitigate these reactions.