Is Contrast agents are safe? - Patient Experiences who took contrast dyes - Types of Contrast Agents - Contrast Scan Prices - How much you are Paying?

1. MRI (or) CT
Contrast Scans
 9 Things you should know!

2. What is contrast agent & why it is used in Diagnostic scans?
With the increased lifestyle diseases in India, usage of diagnostic scans is
doubling each year according to WHO and other national health reports.
Most common diagnostic scan procedures used by patients are CT scans,
MRI scans, Ultrasound scans, Mammography & PET-CT Scans.
In order to obtain more clear pictures inside our body, contrast agents also
called as contrast materials/contrast media are used during the diagnostic
scan procedure. Using contrast materials in diagnostic scans helps the
radiologists to assess and distinguish normal and abnormal conditions more
precisely.
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3. Contrast materials color the internal organs, structures and blood vessels
temporarily for a certain period of time and make them clear for better
diagnosis on any medical conditiomore ns.
Types of Contrast Agents
Oral Contrast Media (Taking the contrast material as a food by mouth):
Barium sulfate contrast materials are often swallowed through mouth to
produce clear images of the structures in gastrointestinal tract such as
pharynx, small & large intestine, stomach and esophagus. For some
diagnostic procedures, iodine-based contrast will be used instead of barium
contrast materials.
Rectal Contrast Media (a procedure where the liquid is injected through the
rectum):
This is process of applying the contrast material into the rectum where
Iodine based & barium sulfate contrast agents will be used to diagnose the
lower gastrointestinal tract.
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4. Intravenous Contrast Media (Injecting through vein or artery which then
gets mixed into the blood):
Gadolinium/Iodine-based agents will be injected into the vein in order to
produce enhanced pictures of internal organs including heart, lungs, liver,
kidneys, adrenal gland, pancreas, spleen, uterus and bladder, gastro-
intestinal tract, arteries and veins, blood vessels in brain, pelvis, legs,
abdomen and chest, soft tissues like muscle, breast and skin.
Contrast dye used in CT scans
There are several chemical substances used as contrast material for CT scan
procedure. Most common type of contrast material are Iodine-based and
barium sulfate compounds. These contrast materials usually injected into
the veins/arteries, spine disks, fluid space of spine and other cavities in
human body.
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5. Another type of contrast material called barium sulfate is most commonly
taken as a food orally. This chemical compound will occur in the form of
powder, liquid, paste and tablet. Here is a clean summary about contrast vs
non contrast CT scan (source: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/)
CT Abdomen Scan:
Non contrasts are widely used for diagnosing trauma, headache, stroke and
so on.
CT Abdomen with Contrast scans are commonly used for evaluating
infection (menigeal enhancement, abcess) or tumor (mets) where the
impact of the infection is clearly diagnosed.
CT Chest Scan
CT Chest Scans without Contrast is commonly used for the evaluation of
parenchymal lung diseases, interstitial lung diseases etc.
CT scans with Contrast are more helpful in evaluation of the mediastinum
(lymph nodes, infection), vascular or heart structures.
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6. CT Abdomen/Pelvis
CT abdomen Pelvis Non-contrast scans are commonly used for analyzing
calculi in the kidneys or ureters. Because contrast enhanced scans can
obscure calculi if the contrast is beginning to get excreted already.
CT abdomen pelvis with contrast are helpful in diagnosing pancreatitis,
diffuse abdominal pain, abcess, diverticulitis, liver mass etc.,
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7. CT Angiogram
CT angiogram scans are usually contrast enhanced scans for the evaluation
of the aorta, mesenteric vessels, renal arteries, etc. In hematuria
evaluation, non contrast procedure is followed to diagnose the stones and
contrast procedure will be used to look for renal masses and bladder
lesions.
Contrast dye used in MRI scans
MRI Contrast scans uses the contrast dye called gadolinium which consists
of complex molecules arranged with chemical bonds. A chelating agent is
used in order to prevent the toxicity of galonium and to maintain its
contrast properties.
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8. Gadolinium is injected into patients through IV’s and will be flushed out
from the body by taking plenty of fluids. MRI contrast scans are used 1 in 3
scans for improvisation of the image clarity in internal structure of body.
MRI contrast material are less allergic as compared to the iodine based
contrast material used in CT scans.
MRI Head Scan with contrast
MRI head scans with contrast are more helpful in identifying the location
and impact of brain tumours. After the treatments, MRI brain scans with
contrast can help the physicians to exactly monitor the tumor, dilation of
fluid spaces within the brain ventricles, hemorrhage in trauma patients, eye
disorders, and problems in ear, pituitary gland disorders and more.
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9. Also, MRI head scans with contrast are good in diagnosing the vascular
problems such as aneurysm, arterial occlusion and venous thrombosis.
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10. MRI Chest Scans with contrast
Chest MRI with contrast helps to assess the heart functioning and its blood
flow. It is very good in identifying the abnormal tumors with its size and
impact.
MRA Angiography with Contrast
MRA scans are usually done by using contrast materials which is performed
in order to identify the proper blood flow in arteries and veins. It can obtain
the detailed view of blood vessels of brain, neck, heart, chest, pelvis, legs,
feet, arms and hands.
MRI Abdomen with Contrast
To check the blood flow, identifying the types of tumors and to show the
exact areas of inflammation or infection, MRI abdomen with contrast is
used. It helps to identify the blockages in liver, gall bladder, pancreas and
kidneys.
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11. MRI Pelvis with Contrast
MRI pelvis with contrast scans produces more accurate pictures between
the area of hip bones. The blood vessels in bladder, male/female
reproductive organs, lymph nodes and pelvic bones will be captured more
clearly to identify any abnormalities.
MRI for Bone and Joints:
MRI bone and joints scan rarely uses contrast material. Some conditions
like inflammatory arthritis uses MRI joints with contrast scan to identify the
formation of discrete erosions. It is also helpful in diagnosing the infections
in bone marrow more accurately.
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12. Before and after Contrast Agents
Safety Measures before taking contrast agents
You have to clearly inform the radiologist about your previous medical
history. If you are have any kind of allergies to the contrast materials,
specific food, drugs or preservatives, and then you have to take the
contrast material with some additional medications to tackle the allergies
during the scan procedure.
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13. Even if you are taking any herbal supplements for any of your surgeries or
for the medical conditions, then you have to take alternative medications
before taking the contrast materials. Also, if you have any history of
diabetes, thyroid problem, skin allergies, kidney/heart disease you have to
be careful and follow the guidelines from your radiologists before the
contrast scans.
Pregnant women should not breastfeed their babies for 24-48 hours after
using the contrast materials. For MRI imaging, using gadolinium contrast is
usually avoided apart from rare urgencies. During CT scans with contrast,
patients and their referring physicians will be consulted by the radiologists.
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14. Before and after taking Barium-Sulfate Oral/Rectal Contrast Materials
While taking oral contrast:
Before taking barium sulfate orally, you have to remain fasting for few
hours before the scan procedure. The taste of the barium sulfate contrast
materials will be unpleasant but it is very mild and will not last for long
time. After the scan procedure, you can flush out the contrast materials
from the body by taking more fluids
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15. While taking rectal contrast:
When applying barium sulfate via rectum, you will sense the feel of
stomach fullness and an urge to expel the liquids. Later it is expelled from
your body through feces and the bowel movements will be in white color
for few days.
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16. Before and after taking Iodine based Contrast Materials
When the iodine based contrast materials are injected through IV, you may
experience a little discomfort during insertion. Once the contrast material
starts dissolving in your blood stream, you might feel a warm sensation
with a metallic taste. You will be advised to take more fluids in order to
flush out the iodine contrast materials from your body.
Before and after taking Gadolinium based Contrast Materials
Injection with Gadolinium based contrast materials will give you a little pain
during insertion and after removal, but will not last for long time. You might
feel sudden chillness in the IV injected arm and slowly it disappears after a
minute or two.
Is Contrast agents are safe?
Contrast agents are safe to use and it is used from over many decades.
There will be some discomfort and it will not last for long period of time.
Some people are allergic to the contrast materials and they have to inform
the radiologist before the below symptoms become more severe.
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17. Allergic symptoms on Barium Sulfate contrast scans will be stomach
cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and constipation. Inform your physician
immediately if you have hives, itching, red skin, swelling of the throat,
difficulty breathing or swallowing, hoarseness, agitation, confusion, fast
heartbeat, bluish skin color. If the patients have any history of asthma,
cystic fibrosis or any intestinal blockage, they have to go with alternative
medications before taking the contrast.
Iodine-based Contrast Material side effects include nausea and vomiting,
headache, itching, flushing, mild skin rash and some patients have
wheezing, abnormal heart rate, blood pressure variations and swelling of
throat.
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18. MR Gadolinium Contrast Material will not produce allergic reactions like
iodine-based contrast agents. It is very mild and rarely people experience
hives and itchy eyes.
Pregnant patients should try to avoid contrast scans apart from urgent and
critical conditions. After the contrast material intake, Breast feeding women
should not feed the babies for 24-48 hours.
Hence, contrast materials are safe apart from some rare adverse reactions.
But even for patients with allergic reactions, most of the diagnostic scan
centres are well equipped to treat them.
How long it takes for contrast dye to leave the body?
If you need to do any other additional tests like urine test or blood test
after taking the contrast materials, then you have to wait for a day or two
because the contrast agents usually interfere with the urine test results.
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19. All the oral contrast materials will leave from your body naturally if you take
more fluids after the scan procedure. If patients are taking rectal contrast
materials through enema, then it will drained after the exam. Based on the
type of contrast material, it will stay in your body for not more than 8-24
hours.
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20. Patient Experiences who took contrast dyes
“I had the warm feeling for my CAT scan but luckily none of the nausea. I
would say water, lots of water. If the iodine is making you nausea, then
drinking more water would help flush it out of your system faster. Iodine is a
type of salt, so water should flush it out pretty quick. Just an idea”
“I had the massive warm feeling as well but it was okay”
“What bothered me most about the procedure was the metallic taste. I
don’t recall any lasting side effects, though.”
“I’ve had ink injections for all of my MRIs, but I do not know if it is the same
kind that use for CAT scans. I never had any side effects from the ink I had
injected. “
“Slight warm feeling running up arm down to stomach, no vomiting”
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21. Contrast Scan Prices (Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi,
Coimbatore)
MRI contrast scan price starts from Rs.3000 to Rs.4500, which differs in
every scan center. CT contrast scan prices range from Rs.2500 to Rs.3500.
But, if you fix appointments for MRI contrast scans or CT contrast scan
through www.bookmyscans.com , then the charges will be between
Rs.1000 to Rs.1500 only. The most common contrast scan widely done is
MRI abdomen scan with contrast & ct abdomen with contrast.
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22. (+91) – 95 85 65 11 77 / 95 85 65 31 31
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