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contrast material

contrast material

1 4.4
A liquid dye injected or swallowed to make organs show on scans
  • noun
  • /ˈkɒntræst məˈtɪəriəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : material de contraste
  • With several different contrast materials injected into separate lactiferous sinus orifices, DCIS was confined to a single ductal system demarcated by one type of contrast (figure).
  • injection of contrast material

Examples

  • The use of iodinated radiographic contrast material would have been impractical because of its high viscosity, the osmolarity of most of the agents, and the potential for a severe allergic reaction.

    Academic text (1999)
  • The results of a barium swallow examination suggested a small mucosal tear, although no extravasation of the contrast material was seen.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Knowing whether the osmolarity of the contrast material is high or low is not enough.

    Blog text (3)
  • Contrast material defines the duct containing DCIS (lower right).

    Academic text (1999)
  • The amount of ethanol used was approximately one-third the volume of contrast material necessary to define the lesion or a specific compartment.

    Academic text (1998)
  • Injection of additional contrast material (total volume: 40 ml) resulted in bulging of the tract.

    Academic text (2008)
  • With several different contrast materials injected into separate duct orifices, DCIS was confined to a single duct system.

    Academic text (1999)
  • PE was diagnosed if a central filling defect outlined by contrast material or complete occlusion was seen in a segmental or more proximal pulmonary artery.

    Academic text (2002)
  • The doctor explained that the contrast material would help create clearer images of the patient's internal organs during the scan.

  • During the procedure, we used a special contrast material that allowed for a more detailed examination of the tissues.

Synonyms

contrast medium
vscontrast material
  • Specialized
5.1

A liquid or dye used in medical scans to show parts inside the body, for example blood vessels

is the same meaning but uses a different common term
radiopaque dye
vscontrast material
  • Specialized
5.7

A dye that blocks X-rays to make organs or blood vessels visible on scans

is broader, applying to any substance used to make organs visible with radiation

Surface Forms

Morphology

contrast + material

The phrase is directly compositional: 'contrast' (difference in visual/brightness terms) + 'material' (a substance) yields 'a substance that produces or enhances contrast.' A B1 learner who knows both words can infer it refers to a substance used to create contrast in imaging, even if the technical detail about x-rays is specialized.

Etymology

The term contrast material comes from the simple image of adding a special material that makes parts of the body stand out on a scan, like using a highlighter on a page. That's why it means 'a substance given during an x-ray or scan to make organs or blood vessels easy to see'.