Nonionic contrast agents are a group of contrast media that do not dissociate into charged particles. Many of the side effects of contrast agents are due to the injection of a solution with high osmolality compared to blood. Nonionic contrast agents have a low osmolality and tend to have less toxicity. However, as with all iodinated contrast agents, serious or fatal reactions have been associated with their use.
Due to their lower neurotoxicity, nonionic contrast agents can also be used for myelography. The only FDA approved agent, iodixanol, is iso-osmolar to blood, which makes it preferable for examinations of the central nervous system and cardiovascular studies. Because of its higher costs relative to other nonionic agents, the use is sometimes reserved for patients with high risk of nephrotoxicity.

See also Nonionic Dimer, Nonionic Monomer and CM Ratio.

Radiation safety concerns the safe use of ionizing radiation. The radiation exposure has to be controlled to protect people and the environment from unnecessary exposure and the damaging effect to the health. Legal regulations require that radiation exposure (individual radiation exposure as well as collective dose) must be kept as low as reasonably achievable.
The electromagnetic spectrum includes x-rays, gamma rays, ultraviolet radiation, visible light, infrared radiation, and radio waves. Additionally, there are several types of particulate radiation e.g., alpha and beta particles. All types of radiation are used in a wide range of medicine, industry, research and communication. Radiation risks can occur due to either long-term low level exposure or short-term high level exposure. A well-functioning dosimetry program is essential for a safe use and for compliance with federal and state regulations.

Three basic rules have to be observed for a safe use of ionizing radiation.

See also Inverse Square Law, Administrative Dose Guidelines and Annual Dose Limit.

(RIS) Radiology department computer software system to manage patient details, records, images, tracking and scheduling, etc.

Reno-30® is a radiopaque contrast agent indicated for retrograde or ascending pyelography. Retrograde pyelography does not include systemic administration of contrast media, so the risk of adverse reactions is extremely rare.

Single-head contrast media injectors ('contrast only') have been first developed in the 1970s. The construction consists of a syringe with the contrast medium inserted into the injector head and a plunger to deliver the contrast medium from the syringe via tubing connected to the patient.
Injectors used in cath lab angiography are often single-head injectors using one syringe.
Angiography contrast delivery systems inject contrast agent into arteries, where air embolisms can present a serious risk. For that reason, cath lab pressure injectors should have air embolism detectors, warning of bubbles in the line before they reach a patient. Air embolisms are not a major issue for CT scans, due to the venous access any small bubbles injected into a vein are expelled through the lungs. Procedures in the interventional suite need low, variable flow rate injections.

See also Contrast Media Injector, Dual-Head CT Power Injector, CT Power Injector, Multi-Head Contrast Media Injector, Syringeless CT Power Injector.