CT scan WITHOUT contrast

[2mini2]

Hi

I’ve had a chest / abdo / pelvis CT scan today which should have been with contrast.

They were unable to cannulate me though after various attempts so I had to have the scan without contrast!

Has this happened to anyone else - I just want to know if the results will be accurate or if I’m going to facing a rescan ?

[Katmal-UK]

Hi. I always have scans without contrast as I became allergic to it. You shouldnt need a re-scan xx Kathy xx

[Janet235]

I wouldn't worry too much about this. The last time I had one I just drank water prior as my guts were in such a bad place and generally I do get bad upsets anyway after the infusions

I just don't think it gives such a strong highlighted image, but docs seem to analyse what is happening without the contrast so...?

Janet x🌈

[CharlotteSo_UK]

Hi. My mums are always done without the contrast as her kidney function is not great and the contrast can impact. She has never had any issues with her scan results. X

[Neona]

I have had 3 scans without contrast during my clinical trial and 3 with contrast. The results ate certainly more accurate with the contrast but by no means useless without.

[Howick01]

It was trialled at some hospitals .

At our hospital they went back to using the contrast as it was more accurate.

Take care🌻🌻🌻

[Kmastro]

The scan with contrast showed my pulmonary embolisms while the scan without contrast did not. I do not think you get the whole story without contrast.

[Cropcrop]

They just get a clearer picture with the contrast but the results should still be perfectly legible without. Try not to worry, you shouldn’t need a second scan. Take care ❤️Xx Jane

[LittleSan]

I'm allergic to the contrast dye so all my scans are minus the contrast. A radiographer said a good analogy is that it's like playing snooker in black and white. If you know where the balls should be placed, you've a good enough memory and concentration, you can still play the game.

I've been having contrastless scans for over four years and as the results correlate with symptoms, I'd assume they're still accurate. Xx

[Hidden]

Hi there I had a ct scan in May in a different hospital, they couldn't find a vein so I got the drink and as I had a dodgy tummy that day anyhow, hadn't eaten much. They did the scan on the old type scanner without contrast as the radiologist considered he could see enough without the dye. Had a scan a few weeks ago with no problem except I got dreadful sinusitis after it and had to get antibiotics.

[Solange]

I sympathise with you. Despite numerous efforts to get cannula in, and having the hospital IV Team called who do nothing but cannulate, even using ultra sound but failing, I've had to have three scans without the dye. So disappointing but I think it happens fairly often to other people. Thankfully, my hospital will use my piccline at the moment but I dread going back to the painful attempts again once my it's removed. My Onco said it doesn't matter, not having the dye, but it must be better to have it or why use it in the first place? Try not to worry, as you see, lots of folk have to go without it.

Love, Solange 😊