Head CT Scan, Here's What You Should Know

The difference between contrast and non-contrast CT scans is most easily recognized from the preparations made before undergoing a CT scan procedure. In addition, the difference between the two lies in the risk of side effects after the CT scan.

Medical examination via CT scan can be done using contrast agents (special dyes) or not using contrast agents. The use of contrast agents is often necessary to clarify the image quality of parts that are visible, such as blood vessels, structures, or certain soft tissues.

Head CT Scan, Here's What You Should Know

Difference between contrast and non-contrast CT scan

Here are some of the differences between contrast and non-contrast CT scan that you should know:

Preparation before undergoing a CT scan

Prior to undergoing a CT scan with contrast agents, patients will usually be asked to sign a consent form regarding the risk of side effects associated with contrast agents. On the other hand, for non-contrast CT scans, the patient can immediately undergo the procedure.

The process of examining a non-contrast CT scan usually takes about 15-30 minutes. Meanwhile, if a contrast agent is used, the CT scan will start about 1 hour earlier, so that the contrast agent can flow completely through the bloodstream.

In addition, in the CT scan procedure with contrast agent, the patient is not allowed to eat or drink 6–8 hours before the examination, according to the doctor's instructions. Patients should also only have a CT scan of the contrast agent at least once every 2 days and it is recommended that you bring a bandage to prevent leakage after the contrast agent has been removed.

Some of the common preparations for a CT scan include:

  • Wearing comfortable and loose fitting clothes
  • Remove metal objects that stick to the body, such as jewelry, glasses, dentures, hairpins, watches, belts, and bras equipped with wires, so as not to interfere with the CT scan image
  • Inform the doctor about all drugs taken and allergies that are owned, so that the doctor can prescribe drugs to reduce the risk of allergies
  • Inform the doctor about the symptoms or history of illness, especially heart disease, asthma, diabetes, or kidney
  • Notify the doctor if you are pregnant or there is a possibility of becoming pregnant

Allergic reactions that can occur

Contrast substance will generally be given to the patient by mouth (oral contrast) or injected into a vein in the patient's arm (intravenous contrast). Most of the contrast agents used in CT scan procedures are iodine-based.

The use of contrast agents in a CT scan procedure can pose a risk of allergies for some people, especially those with kidney disease, diabetes, asthma, heart disease, and thyroid disorders. Symptoms that often appear include:

  • A feeling of warmth and redness in the body or around the stomach for about 20 seconds
  • A warm sensation around the bladder which may make the patient feel like he is urinating
  • A metallic taste in the mouth
  • Pain and swelling in the arm
  • Nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps and constipation

Although most allergic reactions are mild and transient, it is best if patients tell their doctor beforehand if they have experienced an allergic reaction to contrast agents.

That way, doctors will take precautions, such as giving steroids and antihistamines before undergoing the procedure. This is because, in some cases, contrast agents are also at risk of causing a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) and even kidney failure.

Meanwhile, non-contrast CT scans are relatively safe and rarely cause allergic reactions. However, in pediatric patients and pregnant women, the high radiation exposure on CT scans has the potential to harm health.

For pediatric patients, doctors will usually perform the CT scan procedure only when absolutely necessary and in a low radiation dose. As for pregnant women, doctors will usually suggest a type of medical examination that does not use radiation, such as MRI or ultrasound.

After the CT scan

On a non-contrast CT scan, after the scan is complete, the patient can usually return home and have normal activities. However, if using the contrast agent method, the patient needs to wait about 15-30 minutes for the contrast agent to pass out of the body.

Patients undergoing CT scan with contrast agent are also advised to drink more water for 24 hours after the scan.

If you still have questions about the difference between contrast and non-contrast CT scans, you can consult a doctor, as well as ask what preparations you need to do before undergoing this examination.

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