CT scan contrast does it really matter ?

worriedson714
worriedson714 Member Posts: 333 Member
edited April 2021 in Colorectal Cancer #1

Hello , 

      So many years ago my dad had a severe reaction to MRI contrast and ever since has been unable to take it well now the hospital is adding CT scan contrast as a allergy . However my dad has had CT scan contrast several times where he was originally treated and everything was fine . But the hospital now won't listen to us and refuses to give it to him so I am wondering is it possible to do a accurate CT scan without the contrast or does this ruin the scan ? 

Comments

  • abita
    abita Member Posts: 1,152 Member
    #2
    Why would they give him a

    Why would they give him a scan that would not be accurate? I don't get the drink anymore, just the IV one. 

    Did he have the CT contrast at the other place after the MRI reaction? I wasn't allergic to oxaaliplatin the first 6 times I took it, then the 7th time, they had to call the rapid response team to take me to emergency dept. 

    Sometimes you have to trust that they are trying very hard to keep him alive, and are doing what is best. They may be looking at many factors. It is very important to be proactive with one's care. I believe that completely. But it is also important to realize they know a lot!

  • PamRav
    PamRav Member Posts: 348 Member
    edited April 2021 #3
    Both

    Ive had CT scans with and without the drinkable contrast.  I have never understood why at times i am forced to drink,it and other times they say its not necessary.  Once i was told it is the radiologist call.  i believe my  resultswere accurate either way.   
    i hate, hate, hate drinking that contrast. 

  • abita
    abita Member Posts: 1,152 Member
    #4
    PamRav said:

    Both

    Ive had CT scans with and without the drinkable contrast.  I have never understood why at times i am forced to drink,it and other times they say its not necessary.  Once i was told it is the radiologist call.  i believe my  resultswere accurate either way.   
    i hate, hate, hate drinking that contrast. 

    Me too!!!!!! Not just

    Me too!!!!!! Not just drinking it, it leaves me with such a yucky tummy and taste that I go to bed as soon as I get home. I was so happy when they stopped having me take it.

  • Real Tar Heel
    Real Tar Heel Member Posts: 307 Member
    edited April 2021 #5
    So many scans I've done fine

    So many scans I've done fine with IV contrast but one time I got sick and vomited after it was done. I've only had MRI scans w/ contrast since that happened but I would think they will make a judgment call. I've had a CT scan without contrast, too.

  • worriedson714
    worriedson714 Member Posts: 333 Member
    edited April 2021 #6
    weird

    I don't get why if they can do a ct scan without it why does contrast even exist ? But abita makes good points maybe I need to trust them more my dad's last scan was just weird I can't wrap my head around it . It says abnormal soft tissue suspicious for tumor residual/recurrence and posttreatment fibrosis combined like what ? I get it it grew it's bad and there are other abnormal soft tissue that grew which is bed but that one thing can't wrap my head around . 

  • Real Tar Heel
    Real Tar Heel Member Posts: 307 Member
    edited April 2021 #7
    worriedson714 said:

    weird

    I don't get why if they can do a ct scan without it why does contrast even exist ? But abita makes good points maybe I need to trust them more my dad's last scan was just weird I can't wrap my head around it . It says abnormal soft tissue suspicious for tumor residual/recurrence and posttreatment fibrosis combined like what ? I get it it grew it's bad and there are other abnormal soft tissue that grew which is bed but that one thing can't wrap my head around . 

    I don't know why they did the

    I don't know why they did the one scan without contrast, it was before I got sick that one time. It may be the risk of toxicity. I don't know, but it is a question to keep in your notebook for your next visit. But like she said, the contrast is for accuracy. I think they take a scan before the contrast, during and after to determine whether it's a malignancy or a cyst or a clot or whatever. The people reading the scans and commenting use a language that's foreign to us regular folk. We have to rely on the doc's interpretation.

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