Keywords:
Contrast agents, CT, Contrast agent-intravenous, Education and training
Authors:
A. Ajjikuttira, M. Gandhi, C. Hacking, A. Coulthard
DOI:
10.26044/ranzcr2023/C-99
Purpose
Cross sectional computed tomography (CT) is an important investigation in the clinician’s arsenal. Contrast-enhancement allows tissue of interest to be more readily visualised against surrounding structures.1 However, tissue appearance in a contrast-enhanced study depends on the timing of image aquisition in relation to contrast administration.
Often, the task of ordering imaging falls upon junior clinicians, who have historically viewed radiology-related education in medical school as inadequate.2 As such, they can lack understanding of contrast enhancement in CT and the associated contrast phases that can be employed in imaging studies. We surveyed the junior medical officers (JMOs) at our facility ranging from post graduate year (PGY) 1 to 3+ to assess their understanding of contrast phases.