X-Rays Made Easy

What is It?

   Radiocontrast media x-rays use a medium in order to enhance the visibility of internal bodily structures. Contrast media is mainly utilized in radiography and fluoroscopy. Radiography is the use of electromagnetic radiation in order to observe varying nontransparent bodily masses. Contrast media aids with these types of x-rays because with the color differentiation, it is easier to identify certain matter within a body. Common radiocontrast means are iodine, barium, and gadolinium. Soft tissue may stop some x-rays meaning that parts of the body can be hard to be seen. This is when contrast agents are used, in order to better visualize certain parts of the body.

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How Does It Work?

    Contrast mediums have certain substances that are better at stopping x-rays and make the imaging more visible. As with all x-rays, dense structures within the body are easily imaged, whereas soft tissues vary in their ability to stop x-rays. This may cause the x-rays to be faint or difficult to visualize. For this reason, contrast agents have been developed to be highly visible in an x-ray or CT scan and are safe to use in patients. Contrast materials contain substances that are better at stopping x-rays and therefore, are more visible on an x-ray image. Contrast materials only temporarily change the appearance of organs. For example, to examine the circulatory system, a contrast agent based on iodine is injected into the bloodstream to help illuminate blood vessels. Barium is very similar to calcium in its atomic makeup and looks dense on an x-ray—just like bones that comprised of calcium. Other contrast agents, such as barium-based compounds, are used for imaging the digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach, and GI tract.

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Precautions

    Contrast materials can be administered orally, rectally, and intravenously. Some people have allergies to iodine. A good measure of iodine allergy is being allergic to shellfish as they contain a decent amount of iodine. Allergic reactions to barium-sulfate have also known to arise.