Has anyone had a CT without contrast that has provided a sufficiently readable result? My son has lost all function in his left kidney and a blockage is suspected, so his urologist has ordered a CT scan "without and with contrast". After learning the risks of contrast dye on the kidneys, it seems best to avoid the dye if at all possible. His GFR is currently 84, and has ranged between 70 and 90 over the past few years.
Thank you!
Hi, without information about your son's age and other health issues it wouldn't be appropriate to offer advice. I have refused the contrast dye in the past. The tech performing the test must be skilled to get the best possible reading and the radiologist must also be skilled to evaluate the data and interpret the readings.
If your son is a minor, and the ordering physician knows of all his health issues then the final decision will be up to you. If your son is an adult it's his call.
Finally, before anyone makes a decision, be sure to get all of the positives and negatives from the doctor so that the decision will be an informed one.
I agree with Mr. Kidney. There are too many variables for us to tell you what to do. I know that when the last time I had to have contrast, they gave me one that is supposed to be ok for renal impairment. However I am stage 4 and your son is stage 2. He might be less of a risk so ask the doctor.
As Bassetmommer suggested there is a CT dye they can use that is safer for those with renal impairment. Sometimes, depending on what they are looking for, they have to use dye to be able to see things more clearly. I have had a transplant and recently needed a CT with contrast. My nephrologist had me drink more water than normal after the scan to make sure the dye gets out of my system.
Thanks for the responses. After doing some research and confirming the type of dye to be used, looks like he will go ahead with a half dose of contrast after further discussions with the doctor.
And don't forget that sometimes a neph might suggest an MRI instead....with or without contrast. CT with contrast isn't always the be all end all.
His nephrologist finally returned our call yesterday, and did say an MRI is another option, but the choice is ultimately up to the urologist ordering the scan and my son. He didn’t offer an opinion or any advice one way or another, just confirmed that yes there is a risk with dye and though my sons function is still pretty good he’ll “probably” be OK. He didn’t even mention the importance of hydration before and after a scan, and had I not done research on my own, we wouldn’t even be aware how important hydrating is to lessening the risk. Grrrrrr...
NSAIDs
Test Results Are In
Lumpectomy and CKD with eGFR 23%
Understanding CT Scan results 
