Is It Normal Practice To Use Both Oral And IV Contrast?

Posted on Sat, 15 Aug 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 15 Aug 2015 Answered on

Mon, 31 Aug 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Is it possible / normal practice to give both Oral and Injected Contrast (at the same time) in a single CT scan in order to study both the organs and also possible bowel obstructions together or are these investigated seperately?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, in normal pracitse is used both oral and IV contrast

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking.

Yes in our clinical practice we use both oral and injected contrast in a single CT scan at the same time.

At first is used oral contrast to fill and opacify intestine. Oral contrast is not absorbed in blood, so it is not useful to evaluate other organs. In cases like bowel obstruction Ct scan with oral contrast is advised.

Secondly after a few minutes is used injected contract to evaluate organs like liver, kidney, pancreas, spleen etc.

So at the same time and in a single CT scan we can evaluate both GI system and other organs like liver, pancreas, kidneys.

Wish you all the best!
Dr.Klerida
P.s If you are satisfied with my answer please rate it.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar