(ぞうえいざい)

ぞうえいざい
noun
contrast agent; contrast medium (for medical imaging)
1. contrast agent; contrast medium
A substance administered before or during a medical imaging procedure (X-ray, CT, MRI, or ultrasound) to make certain tissues or blood vessels show up more clearly on the resulting images. Common examples include iodine-based agents for X-ray/CT and gadolinium-based agents for MRI.
検査(けんさ)(まえ)造影剤(ぞうえいざい)注射(ちゅうしゃ)した。
Before the exam, they injected a contrast agent.
造影剤(ぞうえいざい)使(つか)うと血管(けっかん)がはっきり(うつ)る。
Using a contrast agent makes the blood vessels show up clearly.
造影剤(ぞうえいざい)(たい)するアレルギーがある(かた)は、事前(じぜん)にお(もう)()ください。
If you have an allergy to contrast agents, please let us know in advance.

Composed of 造影(ぞうえい) ("producing an image," from (つく)る + (えい), originally "making a shadow" for X-ray imaging) + (ざい) ("agent, preparation"). A standard medical term encountered in hospitals, on consent forms, and in health-insurance paperwork.

USAGE:

  • Administered by injection, oral ingestion, or (for some imaging) by enema, depending on the exam.
  • Patients are typically asked about kidney function and allergies before administration, since contrast agents can provoke allergic reactions and iodine-based agents are processed by the kidneys.
  • 造影(ぞうえい) alone is also used as a verb-forming element: 造影(ぞうえい)する, "to perform contrast imaging."

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 造影剤(ぞうえいざい)使(つか)う: to use a contrast agent
  • 造影剤(ぞうえいざい)注射(ちゅうしゃ)する: to inject a contrast agent
  • 造影剤(ぞうえいざい)アレルギー: contrast-agent allergy
  • 造影剤(ぞうえいざい)副作用(ふくさよう): side effects of the contrast agent
  • ヨード造影剤(ぞうえいざい): iodine-based contrast agent

RELATED TERMS:

  • 造影(ぞうえい): contrast imaging (the procedure)
  • 造影(ぞうえい)CT: contrast CT
  • 造影(ぞうえい)MRI: contrast MRI
  • 検査(けんさ): examination, test
  • 副作用(ふくさよう): side effect
  • アレルギー: allergy
  • 注射(ちゅうしゃ): injection