Keeping patients safe

Contrast Materials

Iodine containing liquid injected into the body to enhance x-ray pictures are used to improve the quality of imaging exams by changing the way radiation interacts with the body. Contrast is given routinely in most hospitals to allow radiologists to see specific areas of your body (i.e. brain, kidneys and bladder, arteries, veins, bile ducts in the liver, joints, spine, etc.). Contrast is only temporarily in the body, and rids itself through urination or bowel movements.

If you are aware of an allergy to contrast materials, it is very important to mention this to your physician. Most people have this type of examination without any complications. However, mild reactions to the contrast can occur. These reactions may include, nausea, vomiting, itching and hives. The reaction(s) may pass without treatment or respond quickly to medication. Rarely, more severe reactions can occur, including loss of blood pressure and heartbeat irregularities.

Although there are risks and possible complications related to contrast, the information gained from the examination will be beneficial in your diagnosis and treatment. Please feel free to discuss any questions or concerns with our Medical Imaging staff.

Paediatric Patients

Diagnostic exams are performed on paediatric patients only if a medical professional believes that it is necessary to help with a diagnosis. The benefits of medical imaging significantly outweigh the risks, and exams are adjusted to safely provide the desired images.

Pregnancy

Advising your physician and medical radiation technologist that you are pregnant is very important, prior to imaging. For any diagnostic exams that involve radiation, pregnancy status is established before the exam is performed to ensure it is performed in the safest possible way. Ultrasound does not use radiation so it is the safest and preferred method to monitor fetal well-being. Although the risk is low for imaging that involves radiation, extra precautions are taken to protect the mother and unborn child. For example, if an exam is necessary and no suitable alternatives for diagnosis exist, lead shielding or an alternative position may be used.

Radiation

Diagnostic imaging in hospitals generally use very small amounts of radiation. Niagara Health follows all established radiation safety guidelines to ensure patients receive the minimum required radiation required to obtain images. This means that exams performed at hospitals are low risk and the benefits significantly outweigh the risks.