Why did my healthcare provider order a CT scan with contrast?

When your healthcare provider recommends you schedule an appointment for a CT scan with contrast, it means they want to enhance the visibility of specific structures.

A CT scan with contrast uses a special dye, called contrast, to produce highly detailed images of your organs and other parts of your body. It can help to ensure your doctor provides you the most accurate diagnosis for your specific symptoms.

In this guide, we will explain why your provider may order a CT with contrast, what conditions a CT with contrast can help diagnose, what to expect during your scan, and what aftercare looks like following your appointment.

How contrast helps your healthcare provider get clearer CT images

Contrast is one of many tools CT technologists use to make sure your CT results are as accurate as possible. Let’s take a closer look at exactly what contrast does, and how it helps your doctor.

What is contrast? 

Contrast is a dye that helps make certain areas of the body appear clearer on your CT scan. 

It is usually given before a scan. Contrast can be administered by drinking it orally if the area of interest is the stomach or intestines, or by injection through an IV line just before the scan begins, depending on the type of imaging and the area being examined. 

In some cases, contrast is administered during the CT scan, so the radiologist can see the difference of the areas without and with contrast.

Why is it easier to diagnose certain conditions by using contrast?

Contrast will let your healthcare provider clearly differentiate organs, blood vessels and other tissues from one another, making it easier to identify certain health conditions. This clear distinction between organs, vessels and tissues helps your provider to make an accurate diagnosis, which could be more difficult without contrast.

Why your provider recommended a CT with contrast

Your doctor ordered a CT scan with contrast because they want to be sure they can get a good, detailed look at a certain area of your body, so they can give you an accurate diagnosis. Let’s see what conditions a CT scan with contrast can help diagnose.

What common medical conditions are better detected by a CT with contrast?

A CT scan with contrast is especially effective for detecting complex conditions like certain cancers, infections, and vascular diseases. This is because contrast reveals subtle details in tissues and blood vessels. This can be critical for spotting early stages of illness or identifying specific abnormalities in organs like the brain, the liver, or the kidneys.

How does contrast help my provider to more clearly see blood vessels, soft tissues, and organs?

The contrast dye in a CT scan changes how blood vessels, soft tissues, and organs appear by increasing the distinction between them and surrounding areas. This enhanced visibility is crucial for your provider to identify even small or hidden issues, like irregular blood flow or unusual growths. 

By making subtle features more noticeable, contrast dye helps in detecting early signs of conditions that may not be visible on a standard CT scan.

How does a CT with contrast help to find cancer or abnormal growths?

On a CT scan with contrast, cancerous tissue and abnormal growths often absorb more contrast materials than healthy tissues, making it appear brighter on the CT scan. This helps your healthcare provider see the precise shape, size and location of a tumor, for example. 

Extra details like that can help your provider detect even small growths early, which is essential for accurate diagnosis, and for treatment planning.

How can a CT with contrast help my provider see internal injuries or trauma?

A CT scan with contrast can detect even subtle or hidden internal injuries by showing changes in blood flow or fluid build-up around damaged areas. The contrast dye helps identify specific patterns linked to trauma, such as unusual swelling or small tears, which might otherwise go unnoticed. 

What to expect during your CT scan with contrast

On the day of your appointment, your CT technologist will help you get ready for a CT scan with contrast, which is a routine scan commonly performed at imaging centers. We’ll explain everything you should expect on the day of your scan.

How is contrast dye usually administered?

Contrast dye can be administered in a couple of ways, depending on your doctor’s orders. Most often, the dye is injected into a vein in your arm, which allows it to quickly circulate through your bloodstream and reach the area being examined. 

Alternatively, you could be asked to drink a liquid that includes the contrast dye. This method is typically used for scans of the abdomen or pelvic area, and helps highlight your digestive system for clearer imaging. Your technologist at the imaging center will let you know which method your scan will use.

What should patients getting a CT scan know about getting contrast?

Before your CT scan, you’ll be asked some questions about your medical history and allergies, as this helps ensure the dye is safe for you. While contrast dye is usually very safe, some people may experience mild reactions, like a warm sensation or a metallic taste. For most people, these sensations go away quickly. 

In rarer cases, people might have a stronger reaction to the dye, so your healthcare team will monitor you closely. Staying hydrated before and after the scan is often recommended, as it helps your body flush out the dye afterward.

What happens during a CT scan with contrast? How long does the whole process take?

During the scan, you’ll lie on a table that slides into the circular CT machine, which is shaped kind of like a doughnut. If you’re getting an injection of contrast, the dye will be administered shortly before the scan begins, or at intervals during the process, depending on your provider’s orders. 

The CT scan itself is quick and easy: as you lie still, the machine makes a soft whirring noise, capturing images. You may be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds, at different points in the scan, so you can get the clearest available images. 

The entire appointment, from preparation to completion, usually lasts between 30 minutes to an hour, with the CT scan only taking a few minutes. Afterward, you’ll be free to go about your day with minimal restrictions.

Aftercare for a CT with contrast

Following your CT scan with contrast, there are a few steps you can take to monitor for any lingering side effects, so you get back to your routine as soon as possible. Although most people experience minimal after effects, it’s always smart to know what to expect, just in case.

What side effects should I look for after a CT with contrast?

It’s normal to feel a mild warming sensation, or to taste a hint of metal during or right after the scan, but these effects typically go away quickly. Occasionally, people experience mild side effects like itching, a light rash, or slight nausea. 

If you have any more intense reactions, like trouble breathing or noticeable swelling, get in touch with your doctor to discuss whether you may need additional care.

What does aftercare look like for a CT scan with contrast? How long will it take to recover?

Most people can resume their usual activities immediately after the scan. In some cases, you might be given a few specific aftercare tips depending on your health and medical history. For many people, any remaining sensations or mild effects from the contrast dye fade within a few hours, so you can expect to go right back to your routine.

How to schedule your scan with us

When you get your scan at a Gateway Diagnostic Imaging center, we’ll make sure you have access to affordable, high-quality medical imaging from sub-specialized radiologists and certified technologists. 

Reach out to a Gateway imaging center near you, and schedule your appointment today.