Contrast Xrays

Question 1

How are contrast X-rays used

Answer 1

Putting a contrast medium (liquid) into patients digestive tract
This liquid contains metal salts that are opaque to X-rays in order to see the structures
It’s barium sulphate which is harmless
There’s two ways of getting it there, either by swallowing it as a barium swallow or meal to look at stomach or pumping it in to rectum which is called barium enema to look at large intestine
Also is wanting to look at the stomach, contrast medium is used containing iodine, the dye with iodine in is injected via a catheter

Question 2

Contrast X-rays are used to

Answer 2

Examine soft tissue structures

Question 3

Advantagea of contrast X-rays

Answer 3

Quick and easy to use
Cheaper compared to other imaging methods
Painlesss

Question 4

Disadvantages of contrast X-rays

Answer 4

Poor quality 2D images
Cannot image most soft tissues unless contrast medium is used
The radiation can cause damage to the body bells in some cases can lead to cancer