What is a common intravenous iodine-based contrast agent used in CT?

The correct answer is Iohexol (Omnipaque), which is a commonly used intravenous iodine-based contrast agent in computed tomography (CT) imaging. Iodine is particularly effective in enhancing the visibility of vascular structures and soft tissues, as it has a high atomic number and can alter the attenuation of X-rays significantly. This property allows radiologists to differentiate between normal and abnormal tissues more effectively on a CT scan.

Iohexol, as a non-ionic contrast agent, has a lower osmolality compared to older ionic agents, which often results in fewer side effects and improved patient comfort during the imaging procedure. It is used for various types of CT scans, including those of the brain, abdomen, and chest, where enhanced imaging of blood vessels, organs, or tumors is necessary.

Sodium chloride, commonly known as salt, does not offer the contrast properties needed for imaging; thus, it is not a suitable agent for enhancing CT images. Barium sulfate is used mainly for gastrointestinal imaging but is not administered intravenously. Rather, it is ingested or introduced rectally to delineate the digestive tract. Gadolinium is primarily used as a contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) rather than CT, making it less relevant in this