A CAT Scan

[kermit911]

The liquid they make your drink, mine was some nasty berry smoothy crap, what is it soposed to do? A friend of mine said that it is radioactive. Is that True? then the dye the injected into me, what's that soposed to do? Is any of this stuff harmful to the body? Thanx all

[LazyGun]

Its contrast media, and can be taken orally, via an enema or intravascularly, depending on the area to be scanned.

These contrast media are generally based around Iodine or barium sulphate compounds, and I didnt think they were radioactive of themselves... more they they were radio-opaque to the xrays used in the scans.

These contrast media are pretty well tolerated generally, but as with any chemical ,there is a small chance of side effects, such as allergic reactions, or irritation of organs within the body.

Someone more involved with radiography could probably give you a more comprehensive answer though.

[lightoftruth]

most radio-isotope tracers have such a short half life that by the time they've finished the cat scan most of the ratioactive paricles will have decayed. Theres not enough time for them to do any damage. Also as far as i'm aware they use gamma rays which arent damaging in small doses anyway. Its beta and alpha sources you have to be uber careful around