“What happens if you eat before a CT scan with contrast?”
I am a 43 year old male. I want to know what happens if you eat before a CT scan with contrast?
4 Answers
Nothing unless it's an abdomen CT; then your bowels and gallbladder will contract and compromise the exam.
In a small percentage of people the IV contrast can cause vomiting. If you vomit while in the scanner there is a risk of aspiration into the lungs which can cause a serious pneumonia. Not eating helps to avoid this.
For any CT, but an abdomen CT...nothing. For an abdomen, your gall bladder contracts and bowels move.
Nothing however if you are studying the abdomen, you should not eat since your gall bladder will contract and will not be seen well. Any other CT is fine if you eat.
