Do I need to drink contrast agent for abdominal CT examination?

Whether to drink contrast agent for abdominal CT examination depends on the purpose of the examination. In most cases, contrast agents are not required for regular abdominal CT scans, but oral contrast agents are needed for enhanced CT scans or specific organ examinations to improve imaging clarity.

Conventional abdominal CT is mainly used to screen for obvious lesions in organs such as liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and spleen, such as stones, cysts, or tumors. At this time, basic evaluation can be completed without the need for contrast agents. If the doctor suspects the presence of vascular abnormalities, early-stage tumors, or inflammatory bowel disease, enhanced CT with iodine contrast agent imaging is required. Oral contrast agents are usually diluted barium or iodine solution, which should be consumed in portions before examination to make the gastrointestinal wall appear clearer. Before the examination, it is necessary to fast and follow the doctor's advice to control the amount of water consumed, in order to avoid interference of gastric contents with imaging quality.

Patients with renal insufficiency, hyperthyroidism, or allergy to contrast agents should inform their doctors in advance to adjust their plans. After the examination, it is recommended to drink more water to accelerate the metabolism of the contrast agent and observe whether there are allergic reactions such as rash and nausea. Before abdominal CT examination, metal objects should be removed and loose clothing should be worn. Pregnant women should carefully assess the risks. After completing the examination, if there are no special discomforts, normal diet can be resumed, but vigorous exercise should be avoided within 24 hours after enhanced CT.