Is a CT scan without contrast as effe... - Lung Conditions C...

Lung Conditions Community Forum

55,055 members65,843 posts

Is a CT scan without contrast as effective as a CT with dye?

Wellhellothere profile image
6 Replies

My doctor prescribed a chest CT scan without dye. She says there is a little bit less risks associated with it. I wonder if it's gonna be as effective in detecting any abnormalities.

Thank you for your input!

Written by
Wellhellothere profile image
Wellhellothere
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
6 Replies

Contrast i was told the only use to see if stuff the find as blood surply

Have seen ct images with out contrast and think the well detailed BUT depends what the looking at for

Offcut profile image
Offcut

I cannot have a CT with Contrast due to me being allergic to Iodine. But I have had many CT and MRI with either an alternative or a safer infusion for me. As well as nothing at all. CT will give a better picture of the body/lung as it is scanned at 360 degree compared to a flat overlapping Xray. I have even had a nuclear MRI when they put a radio active tracer in my blood which showed a poor blood suply to my left lung.

Wellhellothere profile image
Wellhellothere in reply to Offcut

Thank you! This is reassuring.

Offcut profile image
Offcut in reply to Wellhellothere

Found this on Google

What is the difference between CT scan with and without contrast?

CT scans are more detailed than standard X-rays. ... CT scans may be done with or without "contrast." Contrast refers to a substance taken by mouth or injected into an intravenous (IV) line that causes the particular organ or tissue under study to be seen more clearly.

santisuk profile image
santisuk

I've always had a CT scan with contrast ordered up by my pulmonologist (a bronchX specialist at Papworth Hospital Lung Defence team) but I have no idea whether this is just something specific to my case (fairly mild bronchX and maybe not immediately evident without contrast).

If your doctor is a specialist in your disease then I would trust her judgement. Not much you can do if you suspect the alternative, without issuing a challenge ("why did you conclude that as I have heard from another sufferer that he is routinely given CT Scans with contrast for bronchX"?), which might cause offence*. You could of course consider consulting someone else. Maybe ask the BLF team if they have access to a pulmo or radiologist who could answer the question.

*Maybe easier to ask your 'doctor' what exactly are the additional risks and what are the potential rewards of using contrast, since other bronchX sufferers seem to be scanned wity contrats

Wellhellothere profile image
Wellhellothere in reply to santisuk

I think that for the moment, I'll do what you said and trust her judgment.

Sadly, I can't call the BLF cause I'm in Canada, but I'll try to call our local association.

Thank you for taking the time to reply!

You may also like...

Thoracic CT Scan - With contrast.

nothing wrong after the scan.. Thing is I do not have a clue who ordered this CT Scan or why,...

COPD CT scan with contrast Vs fev1/fev

emphysema for around 2 months now from a x-ray then a CT scan with contrast. I have a long wait for...

Anxiety between CT scans

but there could be something to worry about. Thank you in advance!

CT Scan vs Spirometry

between the fev1 indicating moderate and the CT scan saying mild?

BCG Finished - CT SCAN - UPDATE.

My CT scan result I was told in clinic today shows the 6mm growth has not moved - Further scan in...