Abdominal CT Scan without Oral Contrast

PeprmntPat55

Good morning .

After being in remission since 2019 , 2 yrs ago some mesentery nodes showed up on my CT scan. Every CT scan I have had since first being diagnosed in 2016 (NH Follicular stage 3B) I have had oral contrast for abdomen and IV contrast for chest. Both at the same time. We have been watching these nodes for changes but they have remained fairly consistent with no growth. I get a CT scan every 6 months.

This last scan when I went in they took me straight to the machine with no oral contrast. When I asked about it, the gal said oh we aren't doing that today. When I was at my Onco follow up yesterday I asked about this because on my radiology report there was no mention of them. My NP called the radiologist because she also wanted to know, why no oral contrast as it is SOP. She even mentioned that they should repeat the scan with oral contrast.

Later I received a message in my portal from her. The admin in the radiology dept. assured her that not drinking the contrast would not interfere with the interpretation. He also stated that they made a protocol change that only requires oral contrast for pediatrics, GI focused studies, or really thin patients. (which I am not)

I still wondered, does that mean that the nodes are just not there anymore or are they not showing up? NP stated back to me that she believes they are no longer there (or no longer enlarged) because "fat tissue acts as contrast on a CT scan" and they will repeat the scan again in 6 months. (I assume with no oral contrast.)

I am still not at peace with this. Am I overthinking it and should I just let it go or should I seek another opinion?

Thanks in advance.

Pat

po18guy

Are you symptomatic? If not, consider just going with the flow. I have not had contrast for some years now. As well, contrast is not without its own deleterious effects.