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Certain materials or gases can be injected into veins, arteries,
lymphatics, or hollow cavities to obtain contrast with the surrounding
tissues. A contrast medium is a radiopaque substance which obstructs
the passage of x-rays so that the structures containing it appear
white on the x-ray film thus delineating abnormal pouches or growths
and defining the contour of body structures on x-ray. Examples of
radiopaque material are Hypaque and Renografin, dyes used in intravenous
pyelogram (IVP) and barium (the substance used in gastrointestinal
series). Some of the more common radiographic examinations which
use contrast media are:
| A. Angiography: |
The radiographic study of the vascular system
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| 1. Cerebral angiogram: |
X-ray of the vessels of the brain
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| 2. Cardiac angiogram: |
X-ray showing the functions of the heart and large
blood vessels
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| 3. Lymphangiogram: |
X-ray study of the vessels of the lymphatic system
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| 4. Arteriography: |
X-ray examination of the arteries
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| 5. Venography: |
X-ray examination of the veins |
| B. Urography: |
Radiologic study of the urinary tract |
| 1. Urogram (Pyelogram): |
X-ray of the kidney and ureter with emphasis on
the pelvis of the kidney by intravenous injection of a contrast
medium
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| 2. Cystogram: |
X-ray of the urinary bladder by intravenous injection
of a contrast medium
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| 3. IVP (Intravenous Pyelography): |
A succession of x-ray films of the urinary tract
following the injection into a vein of an iodine-containing
substance which is collected by the kidneys, passing into the
ureters and subsequently the bladder, allowing the study of
urinary tract function (also known as Intravenous Urography,
IVU)
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| 4. Retrograde Urography; |
(Retrograde Pyelography): Examination of the ureter
and renal collection structures by means of installation of
contrast material through a ureteral catheter passed through
a cystoscope into the bladder and ureter
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| C. Bronchography: |
The radiographic study of the bronchi of the lung |
| Bronchogram: |
an x-ray of the bronchial system |
| D. Upper
GI Series or Barium Swallow: |
X-ray studies, following ingestion of barium,
of the pharynx, esophagus, stomach, duodenum, and small intestine
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| E. Lower
GI Series or Barium Enema: |
X-ray studies, following rectal injection of the
barium, of the large bowel |
| F. Cholecystography:
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Radiologic study of the function of the gallbladder
and bile ducts after an opaque medium has been introduced either
orally or intravenously |
| 1. Cholangiogram: |
X-ray of the extrahepatic bile ducts
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| 2. Cholecystogram: |
X-ray of the gallbladder |
| G. Infusion
Nephrotomography: |
Radiologic visualization of the kidney by tomography
after intravenous introduction of contrast medium |
| H. Myelography:
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Radiologic study of the spinal cord |
| I. Salpingography: |
Radiologic study of the uterus and fallopian tubes |
| J. Sialography: |
Radiologic study of the salivary ducts |
| K. Pneumocolon: |
X-ray examination of the colon in which air and
barium are used as contrast materials; also know as double contrast
enema and air contrast enema |
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