Indications for intravenous contrast in abdominal and pelvic computed tomography
| Intravenous contrast required |
| Gastrointestinal conditions |
| Acute abdominal pain |
| Abdominal trauma |
| Abdominal mass |
| Abdominal infection |
| Gastrointestinal bleeding (if endoscopy is negative, use computed tomography angiography) |
| Pancreatitis |
| Liver cancer |
| Cirrhosis |
| Portal vein thrombosis |
| Biliary obstruction |
| Inflammatory bowel disease |
| Small-bowel obstruction |
| Appendicitis |
| Diverticulitis |
| Colitis |
| Urinary tract conditions |
| Renal trauma |
| Pyelonephritis |
| Adrenal mass, cancer |
| Renal mass, cancer |
| Bladder mass, cancer |
| Vascular conditions (CT angiography required) |
| Aortic dissection |
| Abdominal aortic aneurysm |
| Renovascular hypertension |
| Intravenous contrast not required |
| Hematoma |
| Bowel perforation/free air |
| Nephrolithiasis |
| Colon cancer screening (CT colonography) |
Based on information in reference 3.