Everything you need to know about the use of a contrast agent in an MRI. What is the Difference Between an MRI with Contrast and a Conventional What is a CT without Contrast?

This is a special study that allows the doctor to clearly see the organ using x-rays. But very often the patient is prescribed not a conventional tomography, but a contrast agent is used for CT, which allows to give the most objective assessment of the state of internal organs, tissues or blood vessels.

Purpose of CT with contrast

As in the case of computed tomography with contrast, it is carried out by introducing certain substances into the body that improve the visibility of a certain area. So, CT of the lungs with a contrast agent allows you to better see the lungs; Abdominal CT makes it possible to view the intestines, stomach, pancreas, gallbladder and liver; CT of the retroperitoneal space allows you to better examine the kidneys, adrenal glands, urinary tract, lymph nodes and blood vessels.

Such a study is carried out in cases where it is important for a doctor:

visually separate the nearby internal organs from the intestinal loop;
conduct research of the respiratory system;
visualize a tumor, cyst or inflammation of an organ;
diagnose the exact condition of blood vessels;
determine the degree of malignancy of the neoplasm in the body;
using CT with the introduction of a contrast agent, assess the condition of the internal organ before the operation;
to diagnose the course of chronic or acute pathologies in the body that cannot be detected in any other way;
monitor the patient's condition during the current treatment.

Contraindications for CT with contrast

However, this type of research is far from being shown to everyone. Thus, it should not be administered for CT of the abdomen or lungs in cases where the risk from this study will exceed its need. Therefore, before performing a computed tomography with contrast, a biochemical blood test and an examination should be done, so that the doctor, after analyzing all the facts, individually prescribes a CT scan. Particular attention here will need to be paid to the patient's bronchial asthma, diabetes mellitus, allergies to seafood or iodine, and the presence of severe diseases of the kidneys, liver, thyroid gland and heart, which may be relative contraindications for the study. But the main thing is that a direct contraindication to it is the presence of renal failure in a patient - in this case, the doctor can only prescribe a CT scan without a contrast agent, otherwise the risk of serious complications will be simply catastrophically high. In addition, the study cannot be prescribed to pregnant women and patients of younger children, and nursing mothers after computed tomography should refrain from breastfeeding during the day.

Side effects from the study

If the patient has undergone a thorough medical examination before performing a CT scan with contrast, then most likely he should not be afraid of side effects, since they are extremely rare. However, sometimes after the injection of a contrast agent at CT in a patient:

dizziness and nausea may occur, similar to those that appear from motion sickness on a carousel;
if the contrast was administered in a bolus way, then a slight itching and redness may occur at the site of the skin puncture with a needle, but this only happens in people with too sensitive skin;
when the contrast enters the bloodstream and spreads through the blood vessels, a feeling of heat or cold may appear, which is completely normal and will pass immediately after the procedure;
if the patient did not know about an allergy to iodine or seafood, during the study he may experience an allergic reaction in the form of itching, redness, swelling, rashes, difficulty breathing or coughing, which can be removed with antihistamines;
one person in a hundred may experience nausea or vomiting, high blood pressure or loss of consciousness during the procedure, after which the study is stopped, and the doctor should begin symptomatic treatment.

Harm from computed tomography

Even if the patient is not injected with a contrast agent during CT, but simply does an ordinary CT scan, this study can cause some harm. And all because during computed tomography a person receives a considerable radiation load of background radiation, which during a CT scan of the head is approximately 2 mSv, and during a computed tomography of the abdominal cavity - about 30 mSv. Such a dose of radiation is considered quite significant and can damage cells at the molecular level. And in this case, it will remain to rely only on the strength of the patient's immune system, which will either eliminate this damage on its own, or lead to the development of a cancerous neoplasm. Therefore, in order not to harm yourself, it is better to consult a doctor before the study, who can say for sure about the advisability of performing a tomography.

Particular care should be taken to check the need for computed tomography for children, who are especially sensitive to X-rays due to the fact that their body is developing, which means that cells are dividing more actively. And because of this activity, they are more exposed to any danger, including radiation. Therefore, due to the riskiness of the procedure, CT is prescribed for children only in the most urgent cases, when there is a serious danger to their health, and other examination methods do not help.

Harm from CT contrast

It does not matter whether a patient is prescribed a CT scan of the kidneys with a contrast agent or computed tomography of the vessels, lungs, ureters, spinal cord or any other organ, it should be remembered that the contrast does not stay inside the body for a long time, is not able to get into the tissues of the organs and, accordingly, completely harmless to humans. However, not all so simple. There are several situations when it is better to refrain from introducing contrast into the body, because the risks of this procedure will exceed the benefits of it.

If the patient suffers from renal failure, then after the study he can get toxic poisoning, since the contrast agent is excreted from the body through the kidneys.
If the patient is allergic to iodine, which is the main component of the contrast, then the study should be abandoned, as an allergic reaction may occur, up to serious breathing problems.
If the patient suffers from autoimmune thyroiditis or hyperfunction, then there is a risk of serious damage to the thyroid gland.

Classifications of contrast agents

Depending on whether the patient is assigned to CT of the heart vessels with a contrast agent, CT of the brain, peritoneal cavity, bronchi, gallbladder or any other organs, there are different types of contrasts.

"Omnipaque" and "Urografin" are water-soluble contrasts that are used to assess the condition of the ureters, kidneys, blood vessels and lymph nodes.
"Yodolipol" is a fat-soluble contrast, which is necessary in order to diagnose diseases of the bronchi, spinal cord, and any structures of the spine.
"Etiotrast" is an alcohol-soluble contrast that is used to assess the condition of the biliary tract, gallbladder and intracranial canals.
Barium sulfate is a contrast that cannot be dissolved and is used to study the gastrointestinal tract.

In addition, there are two more types of contrast agents for CT, which differ in the principle of absorption of x-rays.

The positive ones are barium and iodine, which can absorb radiation much better than body tissues.
Negative gases are gases that weakly absorb X-rays, so they are used only when it is necessary to provide a transparent background with accurate detection of neoplasms. Most often, gases are introduced into the bladder.

The process of performing computed tomography with contrast

And now let's look at how a contrast agent is injected during CT and how this study is carried out in general. All computed tomography using contrast lasts about 30-40 minutes, of which a maximum of 5-10 minutes is allotted for the introduction of contrast, the rest of the time the doctor evaluates the data obtained and analyzes what he sees on the screen. There are three ways to introduce contrast into the body.

For the intestines, the patient takes the contrast agent orally, swallowing it, after which it is quickly absorbed into the body, and because of this, the clarity of the image of the organs and tissues of the gastrointestinal tract immediately increases.
If the clinic where the study is conducted has a first-generation device, then the contrast is injected into the vein manually, which, unfortunately, does not allow you to control the speed of its entry into the body.
If the CT machine is equipped with a syringe, then the contrast is injected into the vein by the blue route, because of which the rate of entry of the substance into the body can be controlled in order to prevent side effects.

The patient himself, while his body is being scanned, must lie still, not move, not be nervous and sometimes hold his breath, which he learns about with the help of light indicators.

PET CT with contrast agent

Separately, we should mention positron emission tomography, which is one of the latest modern CT techniques and allows the most accurate examination of human organs, helping to detect cancer in the early stages or during its development. That is why PET CT with contrast is most often prescribed for patients preparing for the treatment of tumors of the lungs, head, larynx, tongue, intestines, liver, mammary glands and kidneys, as well as the treatment of melanoma and lymphoma. After all, with the help of such doctors can detect about 65% of cancerous tumors.

In addition, this type of study is prescribed for problems with memory or the nervous system, to identify foci of epilepsy, to clarify the degree of development of Alzheimer's disease, to detect the presence of the consequences of a heart attack, with coronary heart disease and to study cerebral circulation. In all these cases, tomography will help determine the method of treatment and find out how effective it is.

This study is carried out in almost the same way as a conventional CT scan. True, here a contrast agent is injected for CT of the abdominal cavity or retroperitoneal space into a vein 45 minutes before the start of the study, and all this time the patient must be silent and not move. Then the patient is placed on a moving couch and sent to the scanner, the sensors of which begin to pick up signals that will be transmitted by the tomograph to the computer screen in the form of an image of an organ, on which the areas affected by the disease will be highlighted in color.

Preparing for a CT scan with contrast agent

In order for the study to give the right results and pass as safely as possible, you need to prepare for it. Two days before it, you will need to start following a diet, giving up products such as alcoholic beverages, fruit juices, carbonated drinks, sour-milk products and yeast-based products. And at the very moment of the study, you should try to free your stomach from food as much as possible, so if the CT scan is scheduled for the morning, then you need to do the examination on an empty stomach, and the night before you should limit yourself to a light dinner. If CT is scheduled for lunch, then 5 hours before the procedure, you can have a light breakfast, and if tomography is scheduled for dinner, then you can have a hearty breakfast, but by no means have lunch. And just a few hours before the tomography, you will need to give yourself a cleansing enema or take a mild laxative to empty your intestines.

And after the examination, in order to get rid of the received dose of radiation, it is recommended to eat more apples, seaweed, almonds, lentils, pumpkins, oats, walnuts and beans.

Computed tomography results with contrast

And now, when we know how a contrast agent is injected during CT scan of the abdominal or retroperitoneal space, what contrasts are and what are the indications or contraindications for such a study, let's find out what we can find out after performing computed tomography. So, after a CT scan, the doctor will be able to detect in the patient:

benign or malignant tumors, as well as to determine how much they have grown into nearby tissues;
chronic or acute liver damage;
stones in the ureters or in the kidneys;
CT of blood vessels with a contrast agent can reveal various vascular pathologies, including atherosclerosis;
foreign bodies and cystic formations;
problems with the outflow of bile and the presence of stones in the bile ducts or gallbladder;
inflammation of the internal organs.

Diagnosis of diseases is one of the most important stages of treatment, which determines the effectiveness of the chosen course. In the event of excruciating pain and discomfort with insufficient description of the symptoms, most likely, the attending physician will send the patient to the procedure for examining the abdominal cavity using computed tomography.

What is CT and what does it show? What is the information content of the diagnosis and are there any contraindications? How is a CT scan performed and how much does the examination cost? How to remove the contrast agent from the body? How often can CT be done and what are the indications for the procedure? We will look at the answers to all these questions in the article below.

Computed tomography of the peritoneum with contrast - what is it?

Computed tomography is a modern diagnostic method that clearly displays the current state of the internal organs of a person. The main advantage of using this method is the acquisition of a three-dimensional image. Organs and tissues do not overlap each other, as happens when using X-rays, but are visible in the section.

CT of the OBP is used when it is necessary to diagnose diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The presence of foreign bodies, the formation of cancerous tumors, the appearance of calculi and various cysts, the development of atherosclerosis, viral diseases and cirrhosis of the liver tissue - this is only a small list of pathologies in which computed tomography of the abdominal cavity is prescribed.

The frequency of this study depends on the total radiation exposure and is determined by the attending physician. Below is a photo of the results of a chest CT scan.

The main qualitative characteristics of the study using CT include:

Indications for examination

SCT is prescribed by the attending physician in cases of chronic symptoms of diseases of the internal organs of the abdominal cavity, when other research methods do not provide suitable explanations. In addition, CT is performed with a rather sharp loss of body weight, unexplained jaundice, and acute abdominal trauma. This study can be carried out in preparation for surgery, as well as as a control over the current course of treatment.

Contraindications for abdominal CT

Computed tomography of the abdominal cavity and chest is a very safe research method, but it has a number of limitations:

Pregnant or lactating women are better suited for magnetic resonance imaging. Also, do not do CT scans in patients with diabetes.
In certain situations, the health risk from the use of contrast agents may exceed the need for the study.
In the presence of diseases of the heart, liver, kidneys, bronchial asthma, an allergic reaction to seafood and iodine, the appointment of CT is carried out on an individual basis.
As relative limitations for this procedure, the patient is overweight (more than 120 kg) and underage (the subject must be over 14 years old).

Preparation and plan for the diagnostic procedure

For a CT scan of the abdominal cavity, the patient should be carefully prepared.

48 hours before the study, it is necessary to abandon soda, dairy products, rich products and black bread, cabbage, dishes with peas and beans, as well as other foods that contribute to the formation of excess gas concentration in the intestines.

8 hours before CT scan of the abdominal cavity, you should completely refuse food. On the eve of the study, the patient needs to cleanse the intestines by using an enema or the Fortrans preparation, and a couple of hours before the CT scan, take a solution of Urografin. If a person is taking any medications, this should be told to the attending physician, as they may affect the result of the study.

The procedure itself cannot be called uncomfortable: the patient is located on the couch of the tomograph, and a scanner is circling around him, taking the picture. All that is required of the subject is to remove objects made with metal inclusions (hairpins, piercings, a bra with metal bones, etc.) and lie motionless. In terms of duration, the procedure takes about 15 minutes, and with the introduction of contrast, it takes about half an hour. The conclusion in most cases is ready 2-3 hours after the end of the study.

What can be revealed on CT scans of the OBP and retroperitoneum?

The results of CT help the doctor evaluate the functionality of the internal organs and tissues of the abdominal cavity and retroperitoneal space, as well as the effectiveness of the chosen treatment. CT also reveals:

Features of abdominal CT with bolus contrast

The introduction of the drug can occur intravenously, orally or rectally. To study the upper gastrointestinal tract, the patient is offered to drink a special liquid. In order to contrast the large intestine, an enema with a contrast agent is used. The pain method is used to visualize the abdominal organs.

Computed tomography with bolus contrast is characterized by the introduction of a special substance by an automated injector at a programmed rate and time of drug delivery. In this case, the doctor conducting the study must take into account the clinical task, the number of years and body weight of the person, as well as other features.

Bolus contrasting allows you to clearly identify and delineate tumor neoplasms, assess the extent of the spread of a malignant tumor and its resectability, and identify metastases in the lymph nodes and parenchymal organs.

Informativity of CT without the use of contrast

Unlike CT without contrast, a study with the introduction of a special preparation allows you to determine the condition of soft tissues as accurately as possible, examine the arterial and venous channels, examine the vessels that supply blood to the kidney tissue, organs of the gastrointestinal tract and other internal organs. The use of a contrast agent allows you to study the lymphatic system, examine the rectum and colon, and carefully examine any parenchymal area.

Consequences and complications after computed tomography

An iodine-based preparation is used as a contrast agent. After entering the blood, the accumulation of contrast stains the tissues, and thus displays the area of interest on the images. Contrast preparations are completely eliminated from the patient's body within 48 hours, and their volume depends on the body weight of the subject. To speed up the removal of contrast, doctors recommend drinking as much liquid as possible.

The study of the abdominal cavity itself does not give serious complications and side effects. However, a number of patients complain of dizziness or bouts of nausea when the scanner is rotated, similar to motion sickness on a carousel in a theme park. After the procedure ends, discomfort disappears.

In the case of using the bolus diagnostic method, people with sensitive skin may experience itching or redness at the injection site. When the drug is administered orally, a taste of iodine may appear.

Also, do not worry if during the receipt of contrast, the subject feels cold or hot. These symptoms do not require the intervention of a medical professional and will pass on their own.

A more negative effect of CT on the patient's body may appear when the person did not know that he was suffering from an allergy to iodine. In this case, you need the help of a doctor and taking antihistamine medications. If the subject began to experience difficulty in breathing, a cough appeared, a rash and swelling formed on the skin, it is necessary to immediately inform the doctor about this.

Examination cost

The price for the study of the abdominal cavity and retroperitoneal space depends on the area being examined. The more pictures you need to take for diagnosis, the higher the cost will be. Computed tomography without contrast is cheaper, since a special substance is not required to be injected into the patient's body. On average, the price of CT chest diagnostics in Moscow clinics starts from 4,000 rubles.

Contrast agents (synonymous with radiopaque agents) are various chemicals and compounds used for artificial contrasting of such organs, which, during a conventional X-ray examination, do not give sufficient shadow density and therefore are poorly differentiated from the surrounding organs and tissues.

A necessary condition for radiographic recognition of pathological changes in organs and tissues is a sufficient degree of contrast both between the individual details of the object under study, and between the object itself and the background surrounding it, against which this object stands out. The passage of X-ray radiation through the object under study is accompanied by the absorption of one or another part of the radiation in the object itself, and the X-ray image is created by that part of the X-ray energy that, having passed through the object, acts on the screen or film. If the degree of absorption of X-rays by different tissues of the object under study is the same, then its image will also be homogeneous, that is, structureless. The required degree of structure and contrast can be achieved only under the condition of varying degrees of absorption of X-ray energy by various tissues of the object.

With contrast, it allows you to get more information in one examination of an organ or area of the human body compared to native computed tomography. The contrast agent makes images of individual anatomical structures clearer and more detailed. So, for example, with the help of contrast, you can study in more detail the structure of the aorta and other large vessels, and see neoplasms in tissues.

Types of contrast, methods of administration of contrast agents

Can be used for computed tomography:

iodine-containing contrast agents;
inert gas or room air.

Pneumoscanning allows you to get clear images of hollow organs, such as the stomach or rectum, to identify signs of pathology (the appearance of tuberosity, thickening of the mucous and submucosal layers, and a decrease in the folding of the walls).

Iodine-containing preparations can be administered in two ways:

into the blood;
orally (by mouth).

Intravenously, the drug can be administered using two different methods.:

single jet injection (injection);
bolus administration of the drug.

Intravenously, the drug is administered before the start of the examination or after a series of native images. The distribution of the drug in the blood is very fast. The most informative are those images that were obtained at the peak of the drug concentration in the bloodstream of the study area.

To ensure a constantly high concentration of contrast in the blood, a bolus method of drug administration is used. In order to inject the drug at a constant rate, a special device is used - an injector.

In response to the injection of a contrast agent, the following symptoms may appear:

pain at the injection site;
feeling of warmth in the body;
metallic taste in the mouth.

If these symptoms appear, the examination can be continued, as this is a normal reaction of the body to the introduction of iodine-containing drugs.

The following symptoms indicate the development of intolerance to the contrast agent:

swelling of the face, ears;
difficulty breathing due to swelling of the larynx;
sore throat;
nausea and vomiting;
skin itching;
hives
bronchospasm;
drop in blood pressure.

If you feel unwell, you should immediately seek help from the medical staff. This must be done before the end of the examination.

Preparations for oral administration can be prescribed if computed tomography of the stomach and intestines is performed. The scheme of application of the drug is chosen by the doctor.

Oral drugs such as Urografin are commonly used for oral administration. One ampoule of the drug is dissolved in a liter of non-carbonated pure water and taken orally according to the scheme. Depending on which part of the digestive system needs to be examined, the scheme will change.

For examination of the large intestine, it will be necessary to start taking the drug on the evening before the examination, continue on the morning of the examination and finish immediately before the procedure. If there is a need to examine the esophagus, then it will be enough to drink a portion of the contrast before the start of the CT scan.

When is a CT scan with contrast agent indicated?

Each organ or area of the body to be examined has its own indications for the use of contrast.

Hollow organs (stomach, intestines, esophagus). Contrasting allows you to get clear pictures of intestinal loops, which on native pictures would look like a homogeneous gray mass. The contrast makes clear images of the walls of hollow organs, allows you to examine the surface of the mucosa, identify polyps, tumors.
Vessels of the neck, aorta, other large arteries and veins. The use of contrast makes it possible to make the vessels themselves visible, to assess the degree of impaired blood flow through them due to atherosclerotic changes or compression from the outside.
The organs of the chest cavity. Computed tomography of the lungs and mediastinum, performed with contrast, allows you to get images of the bronchi, blood vessels, mediastinum, and various neoplasms in the chest cavity.
Liver. Contrast allows you to identify foci of inflammation of the liver tissue, abscesses, cysts, tumors of the liver.

Contraindications for CT with contrast

The use of contrast is prohibited in the following categories of patients:

pregnant and lactating women;
patients suffering from diabetes;
patients with chronic renal and hepatic insufficiency;
persons with intolerance to drugs based on iodine.

With caution, iodine-containing contrast agents are used in people with intolerance to drugs containing iodine, seafood, as well as in patients suffering from bronchial asthma.

Content

An important computed diagnostic is abdominal CT with contrast enhancement of the internal organs, which is necessary to show the alleged foci of pathology. In this way, it is possible to assess the state of the peritoneum and retroperitoneal space along with the vessels and abdominal lymph nodes. Computed tomography of the abdominal cavity with a contrast agent is performed in a hospital, making it easier to make a final diagnosis.

What is a CT scan of the abdomen

This informative diagnostic method is necessary for visualization of organs where the pathology foci are presumably located. Such a clinical examination is appropriate for diseases of the kidneys, stomach, adrenal glands and other structures of the abdominal, retroperitoneal space. In addition, CT of the abdominal organs is necessary to assess the real state of the vessels close to the foci of the pathology of the lymph nodes. Any changes in the structure of the internal organs are visible on the screen, but this occurs mainly after the introduction of contrast.

Indications

CT of the retroperitoneal space and peritoneum can be performed strictly for medical reasons after preliminary preparation of the patient. The computer procedure is performed with contrasting - for a kind of "highlighting" the internal organs, presumable foci of pathology. The need to perform layered images for diagnosis arises in the following clinical pictures:

damage to the lymph nodes;
blood diseases;
abscesses, phlegmon;
benign and malignant tumors, cysts;
atherosclerosis and other extensive vascular lesions;
stones in the gallbladder and kidneys;
the presence of a foreign body in the intestine;
cirrhosis, hepatitis, other liver damage;
echinococcosis;
trauma and hemorrhage.

In addition, doctors prescribe CT of the internal organs to the patient in preparation for surgery, after the operation for strict control of treatment and the rehabilitation period. This is a good opportunity to avoid exacerbation of inflammatory processes, other potential complications in the course of improperly selected intensive care.

What organs are checked during CT

Computed tomography examines in detail the internal organs of the peritoneum and retroperitoneal space, studies the lymphatic system and the general condition of the vessels, their permeability. For example, such a progressive method can be used to examine the pancreas, to determine in a timely manner the causes of progressive endocrine disorders. The indicated diagnostics is appropriate for studying the structure of organs of other internal systems of the human body. Among those:

liver;
kidneys;
spleen;
stomach;
intestines;
gallbladder;
adrenal glands;
pelvic organs;
blood vessels;
urinary tract;
lymphoid tissues.

Contraindications

CT scan of the peritoneum can be performed not for all patients, there are limitations. The study itself is safe, since the radiation entering the body with the longest possible diagnosis does not exceed the average dose of an X-ray of the gastrointestinal tract. Absolute contraindications are the weight of the patient from 120 kg, increased emotionality of the patient, the period of pregnancy. Relative limitations to performing CT of the peritoneum are presented below:

children's age up to 14 years;
inflammatory processes in the kidneys;
lactation period (for the procedure with contrasting);
acute allergic reaction to contrast agents;
diabetes mellitus (for CT with contrast);
blood diseases;
complicated pathologies of the liver and cardiovascular system.

Types of CT

CT of the abdominal aorta is performed using special medical equipment, which is structurally a three-dimensional ring with a progressively retractable table, where the patient is placed for examination. In practice, there are the following types of computed tomography:

Spiral CT. The X-ray tube makes translational movements around the patient, at the same time the table on which the patient lies rotates. The procedure is extremely safe.
Multilayer CT. The sensors that receive the allowable dose of radiation are placed in several rows and remain motionless. As a result, the doctor receives informative three-dimensional images.
Multislice CT. The scanning process has been significantly increased in speed and resolution, and for this, two main radiation sources are used.

Preparing for an Abdominal CT Scan

Special preparation for computed tomography of the abdominal organs is required, which includes a complete refusal to eat for 8 hours before the computer study. This procedure is carried out on an empty stomach, otherwise, with a filled gastrointestinal tract, it is not at all possible to speak of the high information content of the CT method. You can pre-cleanse the filled intestines with an enema in a hospital setting or at home.

Oral Urografin before CT

The specified medical preparation is required for contrasting, since an increased concentration of iodine predominates in its chemical composition. This active component of Urografin absorbs most of the X-rays, thereby enhancing the contrast and improving the image quality during CT scans. A characteristic medication is excreted naturally in a few days without side effects and potential complications.

How is a CT scan of the abdomen done?

Virtual colonoscopy is performed with and without a contrast agent, the information content of the computer method depends on this. Native CT is performed without the use of contrast, shows the general condition of the internal organs of the abdominal cavity. The sequence of actions in a clinical trial is as follows:

The patient is required to remove all metal objects, jewelry.
The patient should lie on a sliding table on his back.
The table moves into the tunnel of the apparatus, and communication with the patient proceeds with the help of a microphone and speakers.
When the table rotates, the tomograph takes several informative pictures.
If the image quality is decent, the table leaves the tomograph ring.

Abdominal CT with contrast

With intravenous administration of a contrast agent, internal organs are additionally highlighted, which is especially appropriate for suspected metastases, malignant tumors, and cysts. The resulting image shows the exact shape and size of the progressive neoplasm, the location of the focus of the pathology. Reviews of specialists who regularly use bolus contrast to make a final diagnosis are positive and report that this diagnostic method is more informative for future treatment.

Decryption

The research method is safe, excludes trauma to the abdomen, internal organs, exposure to an increased dose of radiation. If no pathology is observed in the body, the doctor sees this on the screen of the tomograph. But in the presence of a pathological process, the following deviations occur, requiring conservative or surgical treatment:

abdominal tumors;
inflammatory bowel processes;
kidney stones, foreign bodies;
obstruction of the intestines or bile ducts;
swollen lymph nodes.

How often can a CT be done

Performing CT with contrast is not recommended as often, since an increased dose of iodine in the body can provoke side effects, increasing symptoms of intoxication. By itself, the dose of radiation during CT is not dangerous, it does not cause significant harm to the patient's health. Re-diagnosis is carried out in emergency cases to clarify the final diagnosis. CT without contrast has a less categorical time frame, fewer side effects.

Price

The cost of the procedure depends on the city of residence of the patient, the rating of the diagnostic center and the reputation of a particular diagnostician. You can try to examine the abdominal cavity for free in the district clinic, but not all medical institutions are equipped with professional tomographs, they have graduates in a given direction. Approximate prices for CT in Moscow and the region are presented in the following table.

Name of clinic in Moscow	Price of the procedure, rubles
Scandinavian Health Center	4 500 – 10 000
SM Clinic
Network of clinics "Capital"