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CM Safety
Considerations when using gastrointestinal (GI) contrast
When and How to Use GI Contrast Agents with MDCT
- Delineation of the abdominal vessels is assisted by a negative GI contrast agent.
- For the upper abdomen, 500 mL to 1000 mL of negative contrast should be given in a short period of time.
- For the whole abdomen:
- 1 L to 1.5 L of negative contrast can be given 30 to 60 minutes prior to examination, or
- 500 mL to 1000 mL of positive contrast can be given over a period of 30 to 90 minutes prior to the exam, to opacify the distal small bowel and colon, with equal amounts of negative contrast given 15 minutes prior to the exam to assist upper abdominal visualization. Allow time in between to avoid mixing of contrasts.
- For pelvic CT, or for colon and distal small bowel opacification only, can administer positive contrast either orally as described above, or rectally, if necessary.
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